Comments about ‘Mormon bishop fatally shot in California chapel; gunman killed’

what a horrible act fresno has many problems but worse this should not have ever been done,condolences to those of the mormon church)

Our sympathies to all concerned :-(

My daughter was in this ward several months ago and her father-in-law was in the building when this happened. This is what my daughter was told on the phone.

This guy came into the church in Visalia, CA which is south of Fresno. There are two wards sharing the building and it was in between the two wards meetings. He asked to see the bishop. Clay Sannar told the guy that the bishop was not there but he was the counselor and would be glad to help him. They went into the bishop's office and the guy shot him in the foot or leg and then shot him in the head three times and killed him. Brother Sannar was the father of six children and his son was there when it happened.

It would not appear to be some personal thing between the shooter and the bishop as he killed the next available person since the bishop wasn't there.

This is just tragic.

A friend in that ward just gave me some of the minor details. I'm at a loss for words. Very tragic. Please keep the family of this young Bishop in your prayers.

He was killed inbetween services in his office, according to the area's local news. A man came in looking for, I quote, "the president or the bishop". This man shot this bishop in the bishop's office. The bishop leaves behind a wife and six children, one of which is only a few months old.

My prayers go out for this family and the ward and the whole church.

I was very sorry to hear that a Mormon Bishop was killed in this senseless act of violence. My heart goes out to his family and to those of the Mormon Church everywhere.

Our prayers and hearts go out to Julie, the children and all of the Sannar family. What a great man, taken in his prime.

@TheSpiker

I'm 100% positive he was the Bishop.

Our prayers go out to his family and friends. May a great man rest in peace.

although im of catholic religion not LDS faith you will be forever in our thoughs~Bishop ClaySannar rip

a community
across America mourns

So sad.

A part of our society dies too each time such heartless events take place.

Oh great.

My heart goes out to the family of the victim of this senseless tragedy. Having been a Bishop and also a victim of a violent act, I can only say that this tragedy will not only have a permanent affect on his family, but also his Ward family. May the Lord's spirit be poured upon this Ward, Stake and community. Bishop' are just common men called upon to do the Lord's work. We receive no formal training,nor are we paid for our efforts.In fact, most of us are not sure why we are called. Our door is always open to those who might like to talk to us. Only the Lord knows why these kinds of things can happen and it will be only from the Lord that we can find peace and healing of such a horrific tragedy.

The lack of tolerance for the religious beliefs of others must stop. This is sensless and seems to be based on nothing but the religion of the victim.

Please use this as motivation to stop hateful words that target people only on their differences.

My condolences go out to all that new the victim and expecially to his family.

Tears fill my eyes. May the angels shore them up. I will pray for that family and ward. It affects us all.

This is truly sad. My heart and prayers go to this family and this ward. I pray that the Lord will bless them with a new bishop that is extrememly loving and caring that can help this ward family with the trauma that they have been dealt.

Has anyone heard WHY this happened... what was the motive behind it?

I cannot imagine the terror the church members who were in the building at the time felt and are still feeling something that will never be forgotten. I can't believe something like this could happen. My sympathy goes out to his family and all church-not just LDS-everywhere

How tragic. Makes me so sad for his family.

The Tulare Sheriff's office told the Fresno Bee that they were phoned by the shooter and met him in a Visalia neighborhood, where the shooter died in a shoot-out with police. Ward members say the shooter was not LDS.

How very tragic.

May the Lord bless this good Bishop's family.