St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church, Sobe, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, was thrown into mourning on Sunday morning, when Rev. Father Peter Ayala was found dead in his home.

The unfortunate incident took place before he was due to conduct the 7a.m mass, even as worshippers were said to be gathering for the service.

According to Vanguard, the cleric was said to be cleaning his double-barrelled gun inside his apartment within the church premises, when the gun reportedly went off and killed him.

The mass servers it was learnt became suspicious when the mass did not begin at the scheduled time.

The Elders were said have later reported the incident to the Bishop of the Auchi Diocese, Dr Gabriel Duniya, who immediately contacted security agents.

A preliminary investigation later confirmed that the priest died when the rifle he was cleaning went off.

Ayala’s death has thrown the Parish and the community into bereavement.

Edo State Police Public Relations, DSP Moses Eguavoen, confirmed the incident but said that he was yet to get full details of how the incident happened.