© Smith County Sheriff's OfficeMytrez Deunte Woolen is accused of first-degree capital mudrer following the shooting at a Texas church.
A man in Texas has been charged with murdering a pastor while hiding in a church bathroom after fleeing from police over a separate incident.
Mytrez Deunte Woolen, 21, is accused of capital murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury following a shooting at Starrville Methodist Church on Sunday morning that left 62-year-old Pastor Mark McWilliams dead and others injured.
The Lindale Police Department was previously searching for the suspect on January 2 in connection to a separate incident in which the driver of a dark-colored Volkswagen Jetta was seen brandishing a shotgun through the vehicle's sunroof.
Officers never observed the vehicle but were responding to the area when minutes later, at around 7:30 pm, a Smith County Sheriff's Deputy observed the suspect vehicle in the parking lot of the Chevron Convenience store at 303 S. Main Street in Lindale, according to a statement provided to Newsweek.
A high-speed chase then took place, with the suspect reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.
At the intersection of FM 757 and FM 16, the suspect's vehicle ran off the road, coming to a stop by the Starrville Methodist Church. The suspect then left the vehicle and ran off into nearby woods. A shotgun was later recovered from inside the suspect's vehicle.
Following a search lasting a number of hours involving K-9s and a drone, authorities believe that Woolen broke into the church after police had left the area around 2 a.m. on Sunday.
Later that morning at 9:21 a.m., the Smith County Sheriff's Office received a call of a shooting at the Starrville Methodist Church.
In a press conference, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said that Pastor McWilliams' wife found the suspect hiding in the bathroom of the property.
McWilliams and Woolen then fought before the pastor was able to draw a handgun and demand the 21-year-old lay on the ground, Smith said. When McWilliams briefly became distracted, the suspect allegedly lunged at him, took the gun and shot the 62-year-old.
Smith said a second church member was also armed at the time but was not able to get a shot away. The second man, named by KXAN as Mike Seller, was injured after being shot in the shoulder as Woolen escaped. McWilliams' wife was also injured when she fell and hurt her shoulder.
Smith said he doesn't believe the location of the shooting is significant to the suspect's actions and is not considered a religious-based offense.
"The church just happened to be the location that he went into and was able to take refuge during the night after we left the scene," Smith said.
Woolen then stole the pastor's vehicle, a 2018 GMC truck, and fled the scene. The vehicle he escaped in was fitted with OnStar security, which law enforcement said was "instrumental" in providing information as to the whereabouts of the suspect. The OnStar was also later used to disable the vehicle during a second high-speed pursuit with the suspect.
The Harrison County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) Woolen was finally stopped at the intersection of Bomar Street and West Meredith Drive, in Marshall, Texas. He was found suffering a gunshot wound and a firearm was recovered.
Woolen was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment for his non-life-threatening injuries before being charged.
In a statement following the shooting, Texas Governor Greg Abbot said: "Our hearts are with the victims and the families of those killed or injured in this terrible tragedy. I am grateful for the law enforcement officers who apprehended the suspect, and I ask Texans to join Cecilia and me in praying for those affected by this horrific shooting.
"The State of Texas is working closely with first responders and local officials to ensure that justice is served and that the Starrville community has the resources it needs during this time."
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