An Albertville pastor was shot in the shoulder while trying to protect the congregation from a gunman.

(Stock image)

Witnesses said the shooter entered Dixie Street Baptist Church near Baltimore Avenue during Wednesday night Bible study after 7 p.m. Authorities said the gunman was looking for a person accused of propositioning an underage child. The shooter missed and hit the pastor instead.

Witnesses said the pastor tried to get the person with the gun out and away from the women and children before he was injured. The pastor was taken to Marshall Medical South, where he is expected to recover.

The shooter has not been identified or captured.