'Hero' Church Deacon Killed After Showing 'Selfless Courage' by Protecting Others During Shooting at Easter Egg Hunt

• Mississippi church deacon Eddie Shed died after he “ultimately saved others from harm” during a shooting at an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 12, his church announced
• Police said the shooting stemmed from “a child custody dispute”
• Tyran Deion Gable, 24, has since been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault in connection with the shooting

A Mississippi church deacon is being remembered as a “hero” after he died protecting others during a shooting at an Easter egg hunt this weekend.

On Saturday, April 12, the Empowerment Ministries Christian Center (EMCC) in the city of Gulfport announced that Deacon Eddie Shed was killed in what it referred to as a “senseless act of gun violence” during the church-sponsored family Easter egg hunt at the Goldin Sports Complex on Prudie Circle around 2 p.m. local time.

Tyran Deion Gable, 24, has since been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault in connection with the shooting, which “began as a child custody dispute,” Gulfport Police Department Lt. Jason Ducre confirmed to PEOPLE on Sunday, April 13.

Investigators believe the shooting followed an alleged dispute between Gable and the mother of his child, WLOX reported. Per The Sun Herald, Shed, 39, was attempting to protect the victim of the domestic dispute following the church event.

In a news release shared with PEOPLE, the Gulfport Police Department confirmed that officers arrived at the scene around 2:05 p.m. at the 12100 block of Prudie Circle Gable, where they “immediately began rendering aid” to two gunshot victims.

Police discovered that Gable — a Saucier, Miss., resident — allegedly opened fire and struck two people who had attempted to deescalate the custody dispute. One victim was airlifted to an out-of-state hospital, while another, presumably Shed, died at the scene.

Gable was also shot during the incident and was taken to the hospital. Per police, he was denied bond on his murder charge, while Justice Court Judge Nick Patano set his bond on the aggravated assault offense at $250,000.

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In his statement following the shooting, pastor Gregg Magee of the EMCC wrote that Shed “epitomized the virtues of a hero” after “displaying selfless courage and bravery that ultimately saved others from harm.”

“He paid the ultimate price for his valor, and we are deeply saddened by this loss,” the pastor wrote. “Deacon Shed was a pillar of strength within our community and a beacon of light and hope. His unwavering faith, kindness and dedication to serving others have left an indelible mark on all who knew him.”

“We extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to Doris, Jaylen, Kaleb, KaMya, Neloise, Derrick and his family and friends who grieve this profound loss,” Magee added.

Church member Alexis Weathersby told WLOX on April 12 that Shed “died a hero doing what he does best, and that’s protecting and that’s loving and that’s looking out for everyone.”

Taylor Sanders, another church member, added that the deacon “was that guy you could always have a laugh with and always count on to be” at the church. “When the doors opened and when the doors shut, he was just that guy, and we’re just distraught at this moment,” Sanders continued.

WLOX initially reported that three suspects were detained. According to The Sun Herald, ECMC is accepting donations to assist with funeral and medical expenses. The church held a live-streamed service on its Facebook on April 13, the day after the shooting.

The Gulfport Police Department urges anyone with information about the shooting to reach out.