Larry Gene Ashbrook was born on July 10, 1952, and resided in Fort Worth, Texas. In the years leading up to the shooting, Ashbrook exhibited increasingly erratic and paranoid behavior. He believed he was being framed for crimes and monitored by intelligence agencies. Neighbors described him as a recluse who displayed hostility and distrust towards others. His home was found in a state of disarray, with walls damaged, toilets filled with concrete, and personal items destroyed. Ashbrook had no significant criminal record, and there was no documented history of mental illness, although his behavior suggested severe psychological issues.

On the evening of September 15, 1999, Ashbrook entered Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, during a youth prayer rally attended by approximately 150 people. Armed with a 9mm Ruger P85 and a .380-caliber handgun, he began shooting attendees, killing seven individuals, including four teenagers, and wounding seven others. He also detonated a pipe bomb inside the church, which caused damage but no additional casualties. Witnesses reported that Ashbrook shouted anti-Christian statements during the attack. The shooting lasted less than ten minutes and ended when Ashbrook took his own life by shooting himself in the head.

The attack shocked the community and led to discussions about mental health, gun control, and the safety of religious institutions. In the aftermath, the church and its members focused on healing and forgiveness, holding services to honor the victims and support the survivors.