Sheriffâs Office releases name of pastor killed, suspect in shooting incident at Starrville church
1 suspect in custody
Man who lives next to church where pastor was killed recalls scene the night before By Gary Bass | January 3, 2021 at 10:43 AM CST - Updated January 9 at 6:18 PM
SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) - A shooting incident occurred at the Starrville Methodist Church in Winona on Sunday morning. According to the sheriff, Pastor Mark McWilliams, 62, was killed, and others were injured.
The Smith County Sheriffâs Office held a second press conference with an update about the shooting incident at Starrville Methodist Church on Sunday night.
Sheriff: Pastor dead, 2 hurt in shooting at Texas church Mytrez Deunte Woolen, 21, was charged with multiple felony assault and capital murder. He s being held at Smith County Jail, and bond is set at $3.5 million. (Source: Smith County Sheriff s Office via CNN) By Associated Press | January 3, 2021 at 1:15 PM EST - Updated January 4 at 9:45 AM
WINONA, Texas (AP) A 21-year-old man who hid from police in an East Texas church was charged with first-degree murder and felony assault in a shooting that left the pastor dead and two other people injured Sunday, a local sheriff said.
Authorities had been using dogs and drones to search for the man late Saturday in woods near Winona following a car chase, and the pastor of the nearby Starrville Methodist Church discovered him hiding in a church bathroom Sunday morning, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said at a news conference.
By Nikki Courtney
Jan 3, 2021
The pastor of the Starrville Methodist Church in Winona was shot and killed this morning and another person was injured, confirmed by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.
A suspect who tried to flee the church after the shooting is in custody.
It occurred at around 9:20 this morning. There was not a service going on at the time.
Winona is a small town northeast of Tyler, Texas.
Governor Greg Abbott issued the following statement: Our hearts are with the victims and the families of those killed or injured in this terrible tragedy. I am grateful for the law enforcement officers who apprehended the suspect, and I ask Texans to join Cecilia and me in praying for those affected by this horrific shooting. The State of Texas is working closely with first responders and local officials to ensure that justice is served and that the Starrville community has the resources it needs during this time.
Cops were called to the Starrville Methodist Church near Winona on Sunday
Two people were found shot, Sgt. Larry Christian said; one person died
It believed the suspect - who is now in custody - had been involved in a car chase the previous night before being found hiding by the pastor on Sunday morning
Armed pastor is said to have found the suspect with the church s red bank bag
The two are said to have become involved in an altercation and the suspect is thought to have disarmed his victim before shooting and killing him
He then stole the pastor s car before being caught in in Harrison County
Pastor dead, 2 hurt in shooting at East Texas church
Published
East Texas pastor killed by armed man
A pastor in the East Texas town of Winona was shot and killed when a man hiding in the church took the pastor s gun and turned it on him.
WINONA, Texas (AP) - A pastor was killed and two other people were injured in a shooting at an East Texas church Sunday after the pastor confronted a man who had hidden from police in the church overnight, a local sheriff said.
Authorities had been using dogs and drones to search for the man late Saturday in woods near Winona following a car chase, and the pastor of the nearby Starrville Methodist Church discovered him hiding in a church bathroom Sunday morning, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said at a news conference.