Man Fleeing Police Kills Pastor, Injures Two Others In Texas Church Shooting; Arrested

A pastor at an east Texas church was killed and two others were injured on Sunday after a man who was fleeing police opened fire.

The incident took place at the Starrville Methodist Church in Winona. The suspect was hiding in a church bathroom after a car chase with police on Saturday, and was discovered by the pastor early Sunday morning, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said at a news conference.

The pastor, who wasn’t identified, drew a gun on the suspect and ordered the man to stop. However, the man snatched the weapon from the pastor and began shooting. The pastor was killed and at least two others were injured in the gunfire, Associated Press reported. No congregation at the church the shooting occurred.

The suspect reportedly stole the pastor’s vehicle and attempted to flee, but deputies arrested him in nearby Harrison County.

The suspect, identified as Mytrez Deunte Woolen, 21, has been charged with capital murder by terror threat, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury. He was being held on $3.5 million bond, Smith said at a second press conference, ABC-affiliated KLTV reported.

Woolen was involved in a drive-by shooting prior to the incident in Marshall before leading deputies on a high-speed car chase. At one point during the chase, Woolen got out of the vehicle and fled on foot after the car ran off the road and came to a stop. Deputies recovered a shotgun from the scene of the crash. The Smith County Sheriff’s office used drones and a K-9 unit to locate Woolen as he hid inside the church, KLTV reported.

Smith identified the deceased pastor as Mark McWilliams, 62. He said that the department received a call from McWilliams’ wife at around 9:21 a.m. on Sunday. Woolen allegedly shot at McWilliams’ wife also, but she escaped severe injuries. A third person who was shot during the rampage suffered non-life-threatening injuries, the outlet reported.

"Our hearts are with the victims and the families of those killed or injured in this terrible tragedy," Texas Gov. Greg Abott said in a statement. "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."