A gunman has attacked a small group church meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, killing two people and wounding another person.

On Thursday, a single gunman opened fire at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. 

The suspect, not identified publicly, is in custody, according to Captain Shane Ware of the Vestavia Hills Police Department. The surviving victim is being treated at a hospital for undisclosed wounds.

“From what we’ve gathered from the circumstances of this evening, a lone suspect entered a small group church meeting and began shooting,” Mr Ware said.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey sent her condolences, in a statement, saying she was offering prayers to the victims and the community.

“I am glad to hear the shooter is in custody,” Ms Ivey said. “This should never happen — in a church, in a store, in the city or anywhere. We continue to closely monitor the situation.”

This attack on a religious gathering comes a month after one person was killed and five others were left injured in a Southern California church shooting. 

The series of gun violence had triggered a response by United States lawmakers who voted last week to set a minimum age of 21 for purchasing semi-automatic weapons.

The vote in the U.S. House of Representatives was part of a wider gun control bill that recommends lifting the minimum age to buy a semi-automatic rifle and restricting the sale of ammunition magazines with a capacity of more than 15 rounds.

The vote was 223-204 in favor, with 228-199 in favour of raising the minimum age for purchasing semi-automatic weapons.