Terrorist kills pastor, injures 2 others in Texas church

Akeem Alao

A pastor has been killed and two other people injured in a terrorist attack on a church in Texas.

The shooting, which occurred on Sunday January 3, 2021, at Starrville Methodist Church, about 100 miles east of Dallas, was carried out by a suspected Christian terrorist, who allegedly disarmed the church leader and opened fire.

“The attack occurred when pastor Mark McWilliams, 62, found the suspect hiding in the bathroom,” Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith told reporters.

“McWilliams ordered the suspect, Mytrez Woolen, 21, to lay on the floor, but the pastor became distracted while talking to his wife, who was with him at the church,” Smith said.

“Woolen allegedly lunged at McWilliams, took the gun from his hand and shot him,” Smith said.

McWilliams’ wife, who was not identified, was injured after she fell while fleeing the scene, Smith said.

Woolen also allegedly shot a churchgoer in the back and shoulder while the man was running from him, Smith added. The man’s condition wasn’t immediately available.

Woolen, who was later apprehended in neighboring Harrison County after allegedly stealing McWilliams’ pickup truck, could face charges of capital murder and other crimes.

He was being held at Smith County jail in lieu of $3.5 million bond, jail records show.

Smith said Woolen’s alleged motives remained unclear. Jail records did not indicate whether he has a lawyer.