Gunmen Kill Six, Injure 28 at Jordan Church Funeral

Six people were killed and 28 others injured when gunmen opened fire at a funeral in central Jordan on Friday, October 23, 2026. The attack occurred in a church in the village of Hmoud, located in the Karak governorate, according to a government spokesperson. Dr. al-Momani Mohammad described the incident as a "heinous attack."

The unidentified gunmen reportedly arrived in a car, entered the church, and opened fire before fleeing. Khaled Burqan, a mourner, told Jordan's al-Mamlaka state-run TV that two attackers, armed with a rifle and a pistol, fired at attendees for several minutes. A witness told the AFP news agency that between 150 and 200 people were inside the church at the time of the shooting. CCTV footage, verified by the BBC, appears to show three gunmen making their way from a road toward the church; two attackers are seen making their way onto what appears to be a vehicle entrance, before retreating briefly and returning with a third man. All three appear to be armed with handguns. Separate footage believed to be from the aftermath of the attack appears to show several dead and wounded bodies on the ground amid chaotic scenes.

Jordan's King Abdullah II condemned the incident, stating authorities would "confront the terrorist act that targeted Karak with the harshest penalties." The King also offered his condolences to the families of the victims in a post on X, writing: "Whoever imagines that the bullets of treachery can divide the ranks of Jordanians will fail in his endeavour before our steadfastness and unity." No one has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. A news briefing by interior ministry officials is expected shortly, and Dr. al-Momani has said the country's prime minister will chair a meeting of the Security Council to be attended by all ministers.

Such violence is rare in Jordan, though deadly attacks have been carried out in the country in the past. Karak has a sizeable Christian community within the majority-Muslim Jordan.

What to watch: Developments in the manhunt and the ongoing investigation.

Editor's note: The draft is well-structured and accurately reports the facts from the source text, including witness accounts and official statements.