Authorities are searching for the gunmen after the shooting during a funeral in Karak governorate left dozens of people injured.
KARAK, Jordan — Nine people were killed and dozens were wounded after gunmen opened fire on mourners attending a funeral at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in southern Jordan, authorities said, as security forces continued searching for those responsible.
The Oct. 23 shooting in the village of Hamoud, in Karak governorate, has triggered a major security response and three days of national mourning. Jordanian officials have described the attack as an act of terrorism, but authorities have not publicly identified the attackers or established whether they were linked to a known extremist organization. No group had claimed responsibility as authorities continued investigating the motive and circumstances surrounding the attack.
Jordan’s Public Security Directorate initially reported seven people dead and 34 injured. The death toll later rose to nine after another person died from injuries, according to the state-run Petra news agency. Other reporting put the number of wounded at about 40. Health officials said many of those injured remained under medical care Saturday, while Petra reported that three patients were discharged from Karak Government Hospital after their conditions stabilized.
The shooting began while mourners were gathered at the church for a funeral. Surveillance footage verified by news organizations showed at least three gunmen approaching the church and opening fire before moving toward the entrance. Witnesses described people taking cover as the attack unfolded. Officials have not publicly confirmed the total number of people involved, although one account cited a possible driver in addition to the gunmen seen on video.
Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya and Public Security Directorate Director Maj. Gen. Obaidullah Al-Maaytah addressed the attack during a news conference in Karak on Friday. Al-Faraya called the shooting a terrorist operation and said Jordan would reject violence and extremism. Al-Maaytah said security forces were pursuing those responsible and would seek to bring them before the courts. Officials said it was too early to determine whether the attackers had ties to known groups inside or outside Jordan.
King Abdullah II traveled to Karak after the shooting and visited people injured in the attack. At a National Security Council meeting Saturday, he said the safety of Jordanians was a “red line” and ordered security agencies to respond firmly against those responsible. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan also blamed extremist ideology for the violence while stressing that the investigation was continuing.
Security was increased at diplomatic facilities, shopping centers and other locations in Jordan following the attack. The U.S. Embassy in Amman said it was closely monitoring the shooting and noted heightened security measures. Jordanian authorities also declared three days of national mourning, with flags ordered to fly at half-staff at government buildings and public institutions.
The attack struck a community with a longstanding Christian presence in Muslim-majority Jordan. Karak is home to part of the country’s Christian minority, and religious leaders from both Christian and Muslim communities condemned the shooting. The Council of Church Heads in Jordan emphasized the country’s history of Muslim-Christian coexistence, while Jordan’s grand mufti described the attack as a crime against innocent people and national unity.
Authorities have released few investigative details while the search continues. Officials had not announced arrests or publicly identified suspects by Saturday, and the motive remained unresolved. Jordanian officials continued to characterize the attack as terrorism while cautioning that investigators had not established a connection to any specific organization.
Official and public funeral ceremonies for the nine victims were scheduled in Karak, according to Petra, as the kingdom continued mourning the dead. Security agencies remained engaged in the search for the attackers, and officials had not announced when additional findings from the investigation would be released.
Author note: Last updated October 24, 2026.