Jordan Church Shooting Leaves Nine Dead as Officials Cite Extremism

WHO:

ABC News - Survivor and witness Saed al-Halaseh said three masked men attacked people gathered outside the church.

NBC News - Dorgham Halasa, a mourner inside the church, said gunfire erupted during the funeral; he did not see the gunmen. Other people reportedly saw four assailants, but the Associated Press could not independently verify their number.

NBC News - Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan attributed the attack to terrorist ideology and blind extremism.

NBC News - Jordan’s Health Minister Ibrahim al-Budour said two wounded people were in critical condition.

ABC News - King Abdullah II called for an “iron fist” response against what he described as the outlaws of Islam and anyone seeking to undermine Jordanian unity.

NBC News - King Abdullah II said Jordan would confront the attack with “the harshest penalties” and offered condolences to victims’ families and wishes for the wounded’s recovery.

NBC News - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack; spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Guterres called it “especially heinous” and urged that those responsible be found and held accountable.

NBC News - Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb called the shooting a “heinous terrorist attack.” Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein expressed Iraq’s solidarity with Jordan, according to his office.

WHAT:

ABC News - The death toll rose to nine; nearly 40 people were wounded. NBC News initially reported seven killed and 40 wounded. Two wounded people were in critical condition, according to Jordan’s health minister.

ABC News - The Jordanian government described the attack as a “terrorist” act; no group had claimed responsibility and no armed group had been accused.

NBC News - Jordan declared three days of national mourning, according to Petra News Agency. Investigations were underway, and authorities had not said whether any gunmen were captured or killed.

NBC News - Countries including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Oman condemned the killings.

WHERE:

ABC News - The shooting occurred at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) south of Amman. NBC News reported the distance as about 180 kilometers (110 miles).

ABC News - Karak has a minority Christian population and is regarded by al-Halaseh as a symbol of religious coexistence.

WHEN:

ABC News - The attack took place during a funeral; ABC reported the death toll rose the following day.

NBC News - Halasa said intense gunfire began 15 minutes after the funeral started.

WHY:

ABC News - The attackers’ motivation remained unknown.

NBC News - Prime Minister Hassan said the attack resulted from terrorist ideology and blind extremism.

HOW:

ABC News - Al-Halaseh said three masked men with automatic weapons fired indiscriminately, returned to shoot people who had already been hit, and fired at the church facade. He said crawling behind a nearby car saved him.

NBC News - State television footage showed two apparent pistol-carrying gunmen approaching and firing, followed by a third apparent assailant with a semiautomatic rifle; all three ran toward the church. Witness footage showed broken glass and pools of blood inside.

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 18:00 UTC)

Nine people were killed and nearly 40 wounded in a shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan, during a funeral. The city lies about 90 kilometers south of Amman and is known for its Christian community and religious coexistence. Witness Saed al-Halaseh said three masked men with automatic weapons fired indiscriminately, then shot some people who were already wounded and targeted the church facade. He said hiding behind a nearby car saved him. Another mourner heard gunfire about 15 minutes after the funeral began, but did not see the attackers; reports of their number differ. Two wounded people were in critical condition. Jordan’s government called the attack terrorism, though no group had claimed responsibility and the motive remained unknown. Authorities were investigating, and Jordan declared three days of national mourning. King Abdullah promised harsh penalties, while U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and leaders across the region condemned the attack.