A Louisiana pastor has been shot to death while preaching, police confirmed Sunday, and the alleged gunman is a former church deacon.

Pastor Ronald J. Harris Sr. was shot as he led a Friday worship service at Tabernacle of Praise Worship Center in Lake Charles, located in southwestern Louisiana, according to a statement from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Harris fell to the ground, authorities said; then the suspect, Woodrow Karey Jr., 53, walked up to him and fired again.

Karey, a former deacon at the church, fled but called police to turn himself in. Sheriff’s deputies arrested him one block away, according to the statement.


Karey, who has no known criminal history, faces a charge of second-degree murder. Bail was set at $1 million, a spokesman for the Calcasieu Correctional Center told the Los Angeles Times.

Harris was pronounced dead at the scene. His daughter, Talisha Harris, told the Associated Press that her family is puzzled by the motive of the gunman, who she said left the church four years ago.

More than 50 members of the congregation witnessed the slaying, sheriff’s spokeswoman Kim Myers told The Times.

Police are still interviewing witnesses and investigating possible motives, Myers said.


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Twitter: @MattHjourno

matt.hamilton@latimes.com