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Gunmen surrender after Egyptian Coptic attack

From Amir Ahmed, CNN
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Government news outlets report gunmen turned themselves in after 24-hour chase
  • Six Christians and a Muslim guard were killed in the drive-by shooting on Wednesday
  • Gunmen opened fire as the Christians left Mass in eastern Egypt's Naga Hamadi City
RELATED TOPICS
  • Egypt

(CNN) -- The gunmen responsible for a drive-by shooting that killed six Christians and a Muslim guard after a Mass this week have turned themselves in, government news outlets reported Friday.

The three gunmen gave themselves up after a 24-hour chase that ended in farm fields in southern Egypt, the MENA news agency reported.

Government-run Nile TV identified the men as Mohammed Ahmed al-Kooni, Hendawy Mohammed Sayed, and Qorashi Abul-Hajjaj. It said all are wanted for criminal cases.

The government beefed up security after the attack, which happened Wednesday, the day Egyptian Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas Eve.

The gunmen opened fire as the Christians left Mass at 11:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. ET) in eastern Egypt's Naga Hamadi City, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Luxor.

Initial reports said five Christians were killed along with their guard, but Nile TV reported Friday that six were killed, plus the guard.

Qina Provincial Governor Magdi Ayoub said the car used in the drive-by shooting was also recovered.

About 9 percent of Egyptians are Coptic, according to the Central Intelligence Agency World Fact Book. Ninety percent of Egyptians are Muslim.