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Louisiana

Pastor shot, killed during Louisiana church service

AP
  • Pastor Ronald J. Harris was preaching when he was shot by the gunman
  • The gunman shot him again when he fell to the floor
  • The gunman surrendered to the police and is charged with second-degree murder
This photo released by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office shows Woodrow Karey, Jr. after being charged in the shooting death of Pastor Ronald J. Harris, Sr.

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, Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory said.

Deputies have no information on a motive or on whether the preacher and suspect knew each other, Myers said.

Myers said Ronald J. Harris was shot twice by the gunman. He 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.

Deputies were "interviewing everybody who was there at the church," Myers said.

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.

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