Death toll rises to 9 after gunmen open fire on church in Jordan
King Abdullah II said the security and safety of Jordanians is a "red line."
At least nine people were killed and 34 were injured after gunmen opened fire on a church in Karak, Jordan, on Friday.
Surveillance footage verified by ABC News shows at least three gunmen pulling up at the entrance to the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Hammoud, Karak governorate, before opening fire.
However, eyewitnesses say there was also a fourth person, the driver, according to officials.
A funeral had not ended yet when the shooting began while mourners were in the church courtyard, Dirgham Al-Halasah, an eyewitness, said in an interview on camera.
"We have victims, we have wounded, we have great pain," Al-Halasah said.
"In essence, we are a village in the governorate in Karak that is well known for its natural homogeneity and good relations with everyone," Al-Halasah said. "What happened today is not expected."
On Saturday, 22 people remained in hospitals in stable condition, according to Jordanian Minister of Health Ibrahim Bdour.
Security agencies report that they continue the hunt for the perpetrators, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Jordan’s Prime Minister Jafar Hassan said that the attack is the result of "blind extremism."
Jordan will "confront the terrorist act that targeted Karak with the harshest penalties," King Abdullah II of Jordan said in a statement on social media.
At a National Security Council meeting on Saturday, King Abdullah II said the security and safety of Jordanians is a "red line" and that there was "no room for leniency" when it came to protecting their lives. He ordered security forces to respond with an "iron fist" against those responsible.
Queen Rania of Jordan said the "heinous crime against worshippers in Karak has devastated us all," in a social media post on Friday.
She said the loss of life was being felt across Jordan and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.
The Council of Church Heads in Jordan also condemned the attack, saying the "the deep-rooted brotherhood that unites Muslims and Christians in Jordan is no mere slogan; it is a shared history and a genuine partnership in building the nation and safeguarding its assets -- a bond that will remain stronger than any attempt to sow discord or division."
The U.S. Embassy in Jordan issued a security alert, saying it is "closely monitoring the October 23 terror attack” and said there will be increased security. U.S. citizens were told to exercise caution and monitor Jordanian authorities for breaking developments.
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