Montgomery Township Church Shooter Found Guilty

A Lansdale man was convicted of manslaughter Thursday after he shot another man at a church service in Montgomery Township. Mark Storms was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment, according to court documents.

Storms, 46, had originally pleaded not guilty in the shooting death of Robert Braxton, 27, during a service at the Keystone Fellowship Church in North Wales on Sunday, April 27.

Braxton reportedly became disruptive during the service, and Storms, who has no official position with the church, accosted him. He showed a concealed weapons permit and the gun, and told Braxton to leave the church, the DA said.

Authorities said that's when Braxton hit Storm in the face. And then Storm fired two shots at Braxton.

Initially, authorities reported that a man involved in the altercation was cooperating with police but that he was not in custody.

The incident was reported at 11:24 a.m. The service began at 11 a.m.

According to more than 50 witness interviews, Braxton was "agitated" and "verbally disruptive" when he arrived at the church at 11 a.m., the DA's office said.

Sentencing will be held at a later date.

Image courtesy Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.