A pastor and associate pastor were shot on Sunday after a gunman stormed inside a church in Lakeland, but not before shooting and killing a woman, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies said.
Pastor William Boss and Associate Pastor Carl Stewart were shot by a gunman inside the Greater Faith Christian Church at 2035 West Parker Street in Lakeland.
The shooting happened round 10:00 a.m.
Investigators believe, the gunman, later identified as Jeremiah Fogle, 57, shot and killed his wife, Theresa Brown Fogle, 56, at a nearby residence, before going to the church and opening fire on the pastor and associate pastor. Detectives found Theresa Brown Fogel deceased in the living room of the couple’s home, one block west of the church.
Detectives theorize that after Fogle shot and killed his wife he headed over to the church and found Pastor Boss kneeling in prayer to the right of the church. He bent down as if to identify Boss, then shot him once in the back of the skull, police said.
Fogle then turned his attention to Associate Pastor Stewart, who was at the left side of the church. He opened fire again, shooting Stewart three times-once in the head behind his left ear, one shot to the left shoulder and one in the middle of his back.
Detectives said, after Fogle shot Stewart, two parishioners tackled and overpowered him–Derrick Foster and Corey Reed. Foster struggled with Fogle, attempting to disarm him as Reed struck Fogle with a microphone stand.
Fogle was overpowered and the gun, a 32 caliber revolver taken from him. Police said, there was one round left in Fogle’s gun and there were six more rounds in his pocket.
Boss and Stewart were transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, in critical, but stable condition where they are undergoing treatment for their injuries.
No other members of the church were injured, deputies said.
Fogle has been charged with first degree murder, and three counts of attempted murder. He suffered a laceration on his head as a result of the struggle, police said.
