ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – A worker at an Altamonte Springs church shot himself inside the sanctuary in a suicide attempt, prompting officials to cancel school at the facility.
The shooting occurred around 7 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church on Maitland Avenue.
According to Altamonte Springs police, the worker was alone at the church when someone walked in but was told to leave. That person called 911, according to police, and then heard two gunshots.
Police found the worker with self-inflicted gunshots to his chest and head and he was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center in critical condition.
Diocese spokeswoman Carol Brinati would only say that the worker is a parish employee but did not work with the school or students.
"We immediately sent a text message blast to our parents letting them know that there was an incident on campus and that police were responding and that school was closed," Brinati said. "This is a very difficult situation when anybody from our community tries to take his or her own life. This is traumatic and the fact that this person was known to us is even more difficult."
Classes at the private K-8 school on the church campus were canceled for Thursday but will be held on Friday. Grief counselors will be made available, Brinati said.
The church will be reconsecrated on Saturday, Brinati said.
Watch Local 6 News and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.