A man who shot and killed his wife, then walked into a church in Lakeland and shot two pastors will make his first appearance in a Highland County court at 1:00 p.m. today.
Jeremiah Fogle, 57, is accused of shooting to wife to death in the couple’s home on Sunday morning and then storming into the Greater Faith Christian Church at 2035 West Parker Street in Lakeland and taking aim at Pastor William Boss and Associate Pastor Carl Stewart.
Investigators found 56-year-old Theresa Brown Fogle, dead in the living room of the couple’s home one block west of the church.
Detectives said, after Theresa Fogle was killed, Jeremiah Fogle entered 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. It is not clear what their current medical status is today, but they were undergoing treatment for their injuries on Sunday.
No other members of the church were injured, deputies said.
Fogle and his wife were once members of the church where the shooting occurred, and were married there in 2002. Neither Fogle, nor his wife, the deceased victim, was a current member of the church; neither had attended any services there in several years.
Police said, Fogle is not talking. At this time, it is not clear what led up the shootings.
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.
