Louisiana Pastor Shot and Killed While Preaching at Revival Service

Today sad news affecting the church has gone nation-wide.  A Louisiana pastor (on left) was fatally shot as he preached to a crowd of more than 60 during a revival service.

Pastor Ronald J. Harris Sr. was preaching at about 8:20 pm on Friday at Tabernacle of Praise Worship Center when he was shot twice by a lone gunman.

The man went into the church while Harris was preaching and ‘walked up to him and shot him at close range,’ Myers said. The suspect shot him again when Harris fell to the floor.

The pastor was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sixty-five people were inside at the time, including the victim’s wife, said Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory

The gunman left the church, but Myers said Karey called the sheriff’s office and surrendered.

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.

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

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.

[Shooter Woodrow Karey]

Talisha is admittedly confused as to why Karey would target her father years after leaving the church but is proud of the man her father was, both inside and outside of the church.

“My dad was a great father. He was an awesome grandfather. He was an awesome preacher-teacher. He had a big heart. He loved everybody, wanted to always help,” Talisha said.

The community has organized a candlelight vigil at the Worship Center on Teusday, October 1 at 7:00 p.m. and a memorial service at the True Light Missionary Baptist Church, also at 7:00 p.m.