Ga. church shooting suspect waives court hearing

ATLANTA (AP) — A man accused of killing a volunteer at an Atlanta megachurch is waiving his first court appearance.

Floyd Palmer had been scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning, but Fulton County police Cpl. Kay Lester says Palmer waived his appearance.

Palmer was a former worker at World Changers Church International. Police say he walked into a chapel Wednesday and opened fire, killing church volunteer Greg McDowell. The 39-year-old McDowell was leading a prayer service when he was gunned down.

Police say Palmer was a former maintenance employee at the church who resigned in August for personal reasons.

It wasn’t clear whether Palmer has an attorney.

The church’s well-known founder and leader, the Rev. Creflo Dollar, was not at the church at the time of the shooting.