Pastor Killed, Two Hurt in Shooting at East Texas Church

Updated at 2:00pm:

Authorities say a pastor has been killed and two other people were injured during a shooting at an East Texas church.

Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith says the man was on the run from authorities late Saturday and had hidden in the Starrville Methodist Church near Winona.

Smith says the pastor confronted the man in a church bathroom on Sunday morning.

The man shot and killed the pastor, wounded another person and a third was injured in a fall.

The shooting suspect fled in the pastor’s vehicle but was later arrested. Smith says he will likely face a capital murder charge.

Original Story:

WINONA, Texas (AP) – Authorities say one person has been killed and another was wounded in a shooting at an East Texas church.

Smith County Sheriff’s Sgt. Larry Christian says deputies were called to the Starrville Methodist Church in Winona for a reported shooting around 9:20 a.m. Sunday.

Christian says two people were found shot and that a suspect who fled the scene has been arrested.

He says there were no services going on when the shooting took place.

He couldn’t immediately provide more details, saying an investigation is ongoing.

Winona is a small town about 100 miles east of Dallas.