Lord, have mercy: Louisiana pastor shot dead as he preached

Woodrow Karey, Jr. after being charged in the shooting death of Pastor Ronald J. Harris, Sr., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013

Lord, Help Us: Louisiana Pastor Shot Dead In Front Of Congregation As He Preached - See more at: http://madamenoire.com/307554/lord-help-us-pastor-shot-dead-front-congregation-preached-church-revival/#sthash.Hgm03yVL.dpuf

Lord, Help Us: Louisiana Pastor Shot Dead In Front Of Congregation As He Preached - See more at: http://madamenoire.com/307554/lord-help-us-pastor-shot-dead-front-congregation-preached-church-revival/#sthash.Hgm03yVL.dpuf

A pastor from Lake Charles, Louisiana, was shot dead in front of more than 60 members of his congregation when a man walked into his church during revival and shot the pastor twice.

Pastor Ronald J. Harris was preaching for revival on Friday evening at the Tabernacle of Praise Worship Center when the shooter, 53-year-old Woodrow Karey, calmly walked into the church, went up to the pulpit, and fired at Pastor Harris at close range. When he fell to the ground, the gunman shot him again. The pastor’s wife was there at the time her husband was gunned down. He died on the scene.

Police say the motive for the shooting at the moment is unclear, and aren’t sure if Karey and Pastor Harris even knew each other or if this was a random attack. But seeing as how Karey went straight for the pastor, chances are, they had probably come into contact in the past.

After shooting him, Karey ran out of the church, but later called the police to surrender. When they picked him up, they found guns he disposed of in a nearby wooded area. Karey has no previous known criminal history, but he’s been charged with second-degree murder and is being held with a bond set at $1 million for the attack.

The daughter of Pastor Ronald J. Harris says that if her father could talk to his killer, he'd say, "I forgive you and I love you."

Woodrow Karey was once a member of the Tabernacle of Praise Worship Center but left about four years ago.

May God help us and have mercy.