Baptist pastor shot dead by younger brother who sat in pews as he delivered sermon

A pastor was shot and killed by his brother during a church service.

William Schooler, 70, was gunned down at the back of St. Peters Missionary Baptist in Dayton, Ohio, at the end of his service on Sunday.

His brother Daniel, 69, was then arrested and taken into custody in front of shocked witnesses.

The suspect was sitting in a pew when he suddenly started following the pastor towards the back of the church.

As the choir was singing, witnesses say they heard two shots as Schooler headed behind the pulpit.

According to WTN, the church was thrown into chaos and everyone was seen running out of the doors.

Schooler died from his injuries at the scene.

There were said to be 20 people inside at the time.

The motive of the shooting is not yet clear. Reports suggested it was related to a domestic situation and no one else was involved.

Daniel is also believed to have a history of mental illness and violence.

Authorities have confirmed the shooting reported at about 12:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church.

According to the Dayton Daily News, Schooler was appointed pastor of the small church in 2011.

He was a 1963 graduate of Dunbar High School, and a decorated Vietnam Veteran who received the Bronze Star.

Schoolder graduated from Central State University in 1972, the Ohio State University in 1976 and Grace College in Columbia, S.C., in 2003.

He was a member of the Montgomery County Family and Children First Committee.

Friend and fellow community leader Ronnie Moreland said Schooler was the current president of the Baptist Ministers Union in Dayton.

‘He had deep roots in the community,’ he told the Dayton Daily News. ‘He was a beloved leader. It’s hard to put into words what has happened.’

Norman Bradfield wrote on Facebook: ‘This was the greatest neighbor in the world!! I will miss you Pastor William Schooler. See you in the morning!’

Source: The DailyMail