Anthony
Super Moderator
Louisiana pastor Pastor Ronald J. Harris Sr. was shot to death during a church service on Friday night, and the suspected gunman was arrested after surrendering to police, authorities said on Saturday.
The alleged gunman is a former church deacon, Woodrow Karey Jr., 53.
Witnesses told the police the suspect walked into the church around 8:20 p.m, shot the Pastor twice with a shotgun and then ran off.
Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Kim Myers confirmed Pastor Ronald J. Harris Sr. was shot "as he was preaching," and added he was pronounced dead at the scene.
About 65 people were in the church at the time of the shooting, Myers said. "It is quite shocking and I am imagine it was chaotic," she said.
Several minutes after the shooting, Karey called the sheriff's office to turn himself in without incident, Myers said. Karey later informed police about a shotgun and .22-caliber pistol he had placed in the woods. The police have recovered both weapons.
Myers says authorities are still interviewing witnesses and searching for a motive for the shooting.
"At this point, we're just trying to piece together as much information as we can," said Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory. "And find out what the cause of this was."
Karey, who has no known criminal history, is being held on $1 million bond. He has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
The alleged gunman is a former church deacon, Woodrow Karey Jr., 53.
Witnesses told the police the suspect walked into the church around 8:20 p.m, shot the Pastor twice with a shotgun and then ran off.
Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Kim Myers confirmed Pastor Ronald J. Harris Sr. was shot "as he was preaching," and added he was pronounced dead at the scene.
About 65 people were in the church at the time of the shooting, Myers said. "It is quite shocking and I am imagine it was chaotic," she said.
Several minutes after the shooting, Karey called the sheriff's office to turn himself in without incident, Myers said. Karey later informed police about a shotgun and .22-caliber pistol he had placed in the woods. The police have recovered both weapons.
Myers says authorities are still interviewing witnesses and searching for a motive for the shooting.
"At this point, we're just trying to piece together as much information as we can," said Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory. "And find out what the cause of this was."
Karey, who has no known criminal history, is being held on $1 million bond. He has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
