Pastor Shot To Death While Preaching During Service

On Friday night, members of a church in Lake Charles, Louisiana were stunned as their pastor, Ronald J. Harris Sr., was fatally shot as he preached during a revival service.

The shooting at about 8:20 p.m. 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, said Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory.
Myers said Pastor Ronald J. Harris Sr. was shot twice by the 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.

Karey, a 53-year-old resident of Lake Charles, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He was transported to Calcasieu Correctional Center where his bail was set at $1 million.

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

The pastor was pronounced dead at the scene.