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IN CUSTODY: Pastor Ronald J. Harris Sr.

A GUNMAN walked into a Louisiana church service on Friday (Sep 27) and shot dead the pastor as he preached to his congregation.

Pastor Ronald J. Harris Sr. was inside the Tabernacle of Praise Worship Center in Lake Charles at about 8:20pm when Woodrow Karey, 53, walked into the building with a shotgun and opened fire. Harris was pronounced dead at the scene and Karey fled, authorities said.

Karey was arrested minutes later after he called the Sheriff’s Office and told the dispatcher his location and that he would turn himself in, Kim Myers, a sheriff spokeswoman said.

Police say when they located Karey, he directed them to two guns he had discarded in a wooded area. One being the shotgun, and the other a .22 pistol. Both weapons have been recovered by police.

Myers says authorities are investigating and have not determined a motive for the shooting.

Karey is being held on $1 million bond. Fox44.com reported that Karey has been charged with 2nd-degree murder and has no previous criminal history.