Church Scandals: Pastor shot dead in front of congregation
More Church Scandals, this time a pastor was shot and killed during a service in front of his congregation. And folks want to ask me why I support having armed guards in church service, Chile Pleeze, this gun violence must stop!
LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — A Louisiana pastor was fatally shot as he preached to a crowd of more than 60 during a revival service and a suspect has been arrested, law enforcement officials said Saturday.
The shooting at about 8:20 p.m. Friday was at Tabernacle of Praise Worship Center in Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Kim Myers said Saturday. Sixty-five people were inside at the time, including the victim’s wife, said Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory.
Deputies have no information on a motive or on whether the preacher and suspect knew each other, Myers said.
Myers said Pastor Ronald J. Harris Sr., 53, was shot twice by the gunman. The walked into the church while Harris was preaching and shot him, then hit him again when Harris fell to the floor.
The gunman “walked up to him and shot him at close range,” Myers said.
Harris was pronounced dead at the scene.
Woodrow Karey, 53, of Lake Charles is charged with second-degree murder and was held in the parish jail Saturday, Myers said. Karey’s bond has been set at $1 million.
The gunman left the church, but Myers said Karey called the sheriff’s office and surrendered.
Myers said after picking up Karey, deputies found two guns in a wooded area — one was a shotgun, the other a .22-caliber pistol.
Myers said Karey has no known criminal history.
Myers said deputies were “interviewing everybody who was there at the church.”
Family members who answered the telephone Saturday at the Harris home in Lake Charles said there would be no comment. There was no answer at a telephone listing for Karey or at Tabernacle of Praise.
Funeral Services
Funeral arangements for Pastor Ronald J. Harris, Sr. have been announced by Fondel Memorial Chapel in Lake Charles.
There will be a candlelight service at the Tabernacle of Praise Worship Center located at 307 Deshotel Lane in Lake Charles on Tuesday, October 1 at 7:00pm. The gathering will begin at 6:30pm in the parking lot.
There will be a memorial service on Thursday, October 10 at the True Light Missionary Baptist Church located at 1518 Gerstner Memorial Drive in Lake Charles. That service will begin at 7:00pm.
Harris’ wake and funeral will be at the Agape Love Center located at 1515 Texas Street in Nachitoches, La. The wake will be Friday, October 11 and the funeral will be on Saturday, October 12.
Times for the wake and funeral have not been finalized.
Harris was killed on Friday, September 27 when, authorities say, a man walked into the church and shot him while he was preaching. Woodrow Karey was arrested and charged with second degree murder in Harris’ death.
Karey remains in the Calcasieu Correctional Center on a $1,000,000.00 bond.
A motive has not been reached yet. The investigation is ongoing.
CLB family please keep first lady Harris and the entire family in your prayers, RIP Pastor Ronald Harris, Sr.
