Pastor's Wife Killed By Stray Bullet At Alabama Church; 26-Year-Old Woman Charged

A 26-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of another woman, who was killed when she was struck by a stray bullet inside an Alabama church.

The suspect, identified as Kaillyn Harris, was charged with murder and shooting into an occupied dwelling after 65-year-old Grace Carter was hit by a bullet fired into the Everlasting Life Holiness Church in Prichard, Alabama, while attending bible study Tuesday night, Fox 10 reported.

Harris surrendered to authorities Thursday and was taken to Metro Jail, WKRG reported.

Prichard Police Chief Walter Knight said in a statement that the suspect was “very cooperative and very remorseful of the situation,” adding, “It’s just such a tragic event that happened that altered the life of two families.”

Prichard police initially thought they were responding to a medical call at the church Tuesday, but investigators found a bullet hole in its door.

Authorities later confirmed that a stray bullet came through the door and hit Carter in the chest.

The victim's husband, Cecil Carter Sr., told Fox10 that his wife went to the Everlasting Life Holiness Church often.

“I just don't think that people should be shooting in places where you don't know where a stray bullet could do,” said Cecil.

He also shared that his wife of 35 years had been excited after he was elected pastor of the Sunlight Missionary Baptist Church.

“She was really looking forward to it. She was very proud and very happy and very proud of me,” Cecil said. “But right now the emptiness of her not being here for the installation is going to be hard for me.”

The pastor-elect admitted that having to go on without his wife was something he never imagined, but he is now trying to find the strength.

“Right now I'm getting strength from knowing that God is able and knowing that my wife is in a better place with the lord, and no doubt about it that she loved the lord. So I have to be strong for her, and myself, and for my family, my children and all,” he said.

Following her arrest, Harris cried and said she was sorry for her actions.

“I’m sorry and I didn’t intend to do this,” Harris was quoted as saying by WKRG Thursday. “Anybody who knows me, know I got a good heart. And I [didn’t] intend to do this. Can y’all please forgive me?”

It is not clear why she fired her gun Tuesday night. Investigators came to the conclusion that it was a stray bullet after talking to witnesses in the area.

Prichard police are now planning to discuss the case with the District Attorney’s office and talk to additional witnesses.