Florida Church Pastor, Carl Stewart Found Dead after Being Shot Five Months Ago
LAKELAND | The Rev. Carl Stewart died Thursday at his home, five months after he was shot during a service at the Greater Faith Christian Center Church, officials said Monday.
Stewart, 65, was last seen at his Lakeland home on Wednesday. The next day, a friend became worried when Stewart didn’t return his phone calls. The friend found Stewart dead in the home, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.
The Medical Examiner’s Office said Monday the results of an autopsy aren’t available yet and an official cause of death hasn’t been determined.
Stewart was the assistant pastor at the church at 2035 W. Parker St. in Lakeland.
During a Sunday morning prayer service on Sept. 18, Jeremiah Fogle, 57, of Lakeland, walked into the West Lakeland church and opened fire, deputies said.
Stewart and the church’s chief pastor, the Rev. William Boss, were wounded. Fogle aimed the handgun at another minister, Derrick Foster, who disarmed him, deputies said.
Deputies later found Fogle’s wife, Theresa, dead in their home close to the church.
Stewart had spent months recovering from the gunshot wounds. He was shot in the head behind the left ear, in his left shoulder and in the middle of his back.
In October, Stewart said he suffered a collapsed lung because of the shooting. He was undergoing physical therapy and used a walker to get around.
“I’m grateful to be alive,” Stewart said in October. “I’m just praying that God nurses me and takes care of me like he has.”
Boss was shot in the back of the head and survived. He declined to comment Monday night.
Fogle was arrested and has remained in the Polk County Jail without bail.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press
