Luxor, Egypt, Jan 8, 2010 / 02:06 am
The killing of seven in a drive-by shooting that targeted Egyptian Coptic Christians leaving a Christmas Eve midnight Mass has triggered clashes with police during a funeral procession for the victims.
The shooting took place in the town of Nag Hamadi, 40 miles from the large southern Egyptian city of Luxor, on Jan. 5, which is Christmas Eve in the Coptic calendar. Three men sprayed automatic gunfire into a church crowd.
Bishop Kiroloss told the Associated Press he decided to end the service at St. John’s Church an hour early because of threats. His parishioners had been abused in the street and he had received a threatening text message which said “It is your turn.”
"For days, I had expected something to happen on Christmas Eve," he said.