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GULFPORT, MS — A family Easter egg hunt organized by Empowerment Ministries Christian Center turned tragic on Saturday when a domestic dispute escalated into a deadly shooting at the Goldin Sports Complex. One church leader was killed while intervening to protect others, and an armed bystander ultimately stopped the threat by shooting the suspect, whose identity was later confirmed by police.
As reported by WLOX, the shooting began around 2:05 p.m. when 24-year-old Tyran Deion Gable of Saucier got into an argument with the mother of his child during the church’s community event. Witnesses say the situation quickly turned violent when Gable pulled out a firearm and opened fire on those attempting to deescalate the situation.
Deacon Eddie Shed, 39, head of security for the church, was fatally shot while trying to intervene. According to The Sun Herald, Shed died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. A second church member who tried to assist was critically injured and airlifted to a hospital in Mobile, Alabama.
At some point during the incident, Gable himself was shot. As reported by People.com, he was taken to a local hospital by private vehicle. Gulfport Police later arrested him on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault. Justice Court Judge Nick Patano denied bond for the murder charge and set bond at $250,000 for the assault charge.
The identity of the individual who shot Gable has not been released, but it is clear that an armed individual at the scene intervened and stopped the violence before more lives were lost. Police have not confirmed whether the shooter was a civilian bystander, but they have stated that no officers fired their weapons during the incident.
In a public statement, Empowerment Ministries described Deacon Shed as a hero who “epitomized the virtues of a hero, displaying selfless courage and bravery that ultimately saved others from harm.” The church has begun collecting donations to support the families affected.
This tragedy highlights both the dangers posed by domestic violence and the courage of those who step in to defend others. Deacon Eddie Shed gave his life doing exactly that—standing between danger and the people he was committed to serving. His actions reflect true bravery and commitment to his community.
At the same time, the outcome could have been even worse had someone not acted to stop the shooter. Though authorities have not named the person who shot the suspect, their intervention brought a violent situation to an end. It serves as another clear example of how a good person with a gun can stop a bad one—especially when lives are on the line and seconds matter.
