Florida Gunman Shoots Two Pastors in Church, Parishoners Tackle Him
- Posted on September 18, 2011 at 2:51pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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According to the sheriff's office, the suspect shot one victim at a nearby residence and traveled to the Greater Faith Christian Church, where two other victims were shot. (Photo credit: Cheryl Glassford, Central Florida News 13)
LAKELAND, Fla. (The Blaze/AP) — A gunman killed one person at a Florida home and then burst through the front door of a nearby church on Sunday, wounding a pastor and associate pastor before parishioners tackled him and held him until deputies arrived.
Pastor William Boss and associate pastor Carl Stewart were in critical condition, the Polk County Sheriff’s office said. No other church members were hurt. The person who was killed had not yet been identified.
Jeremiah Fogel, 57, ran through the doors of the Greater Faith Christian Church after a morning service had wrapped up and just before another daily service, authorities said. The red-brick building also serves as a school and sits across from a mobile home park.
It was not immediately known if Fogel had an attorney.
Deputies interview witnesses at the church where two people were shot. (Photo credit: Cheryl Glassford, Central Florida News 13)
Several police cars and police tape blocked off the church and the street in front. Ambulances and police cars rushed down the street when the shooting happened, neighbors said.
“I’ve never heard of any problems there,” said Bryan Neely, who owns a motorcycle shop about two blocks away.
The sheriff’s office was expected to give a press conference Sunday afternoon, Central Florida News 13 reported.
The suspect owned a limousine service that provided transportation to the airport and often worked outside with his wife, mowing the lawn and pulling weeds, neighbors said.
“They both did yard work together. They would cut up and laugh,” Doreen Carroll, who lives a couple of blocks away, told The Ledger of Lakeland.
A friend of Boss told the newspaper he is a unique pastor who is caring and works to help the community.
“He had a gift from God to speak,” said Reese King, sports director at a local radio station.
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Comments (76)
TheTwinsMommy
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 7:30pmI always thought of church as a place of sanctuary. Guess not.
Report Post »They SMEAR what they FEAR
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 8:36pmIn the physical sense, churches are a gathering place for worship; if you want sanctuary then you would go to a monastery.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 8:57amThe days of reverence and respect for the house of the Lord have vanished in America. Now they are targets of opportunity.
For those who carry, PLEASE spend a LOT of time becoming proficient with your weapon. Also, become organized with a few others into a security-minded group. Be thoughtful about where you sit, where the exits, entrances, and aisles are. What are the traffic patterns? In what situations/positions would you absolutely NOT shoot? How do you communicate (verbal/non-verbal) with the rest of the team?
These questions are just the beginning. Find your answers. Educate yourself. The life of your minister & church family may someday depend on it.
On the other hand, a bunch of people who merely qualify to carry guns, and do so only because they can, who have spend ZERO time preparing, practising, training, running scenarios – would likely made a bad situation worse in a crowded room.
If you’re gonna do it, do it right.
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 7:04pmif you go to church and don’t carry a gun you have too much faith…
Report Post »CatB
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 7:12pmIt is illegal to carried a gun into a church .. even if you have a concealed carry permit in Florida.
Report Post »lusus.naturae
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 8:47pmWhere you cannot carry in Florida is controlled by Florida Statutes section 790.06 (12). The list is too long to include here, but churches are NOT on the list. Chheck it out yourself at myflorida.com.
Report Post »LOTO
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 9:53pmToo bad he didnt know it was illegal. It might have stopped him.
Report Post »lusus.naturae
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 10:16pmSee my post above, CATB is WRONG, it is LEGAL to carry concealed in a church in Florida. Most attending off-duty deputies make it a point to do so given the prevailing political climate, and many pastors/ministers have begun to do so likewise, though I can’t speak for Catholic Priests. It would probably be too difficult to draw from under the robes anyway, but usually an on-duty deputy is available for traffic control.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:28pmCatholic priests may have legal CCW. However, the Bishop of a Catholic diocese has the authority to ban CCW for priests within the diocese.
Report Post »Gypsy123
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 6:50pmChurches really need to post guards any more because of this type of behavior. I am glad the people took him down. Satan had him today that is for sure.
Report Post »HisStoryUn
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 6:38pmGo away…
Report Post »Jhn'1
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 6:32pmI suspect that the “it isn’t known if he had an attorney“ part was the reason no picture of the ”suspect” was released.
Report Post »The local police don’t want the case thrown out because they released information on a capital case before he had an attorney to complain when they “violated his rights”.
biohazard23
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 7:03pmCheck the local versions of the story.
http://www2.tbo.com/news/news/2011/sep/18/9/gunman-kills-one-person-wounds-two-more-in-lakelan-ar-258686/
http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/september/314411/Pastors-shot-inside-church,-woman-found-dead-nearby
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 6:15pmAnd i just reported you for spam.
Report Post »cknapp
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 6:09pmWho cares if he as an attorney?
Why is this nut jobs morale compass not working? Obviously defective, recycle in the cemetery!
Craig Knapp
Report Post »Age 50
John-Mary
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 5:59pmSome stories on the Blaze need to have the option for comments disabled as they serve no benefit and are full of assumptions. Just because we are free to speak doesn’t mean we should.
Report Post »Prayers up to all those involved in this tragedy.
Halloween
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 8:22pmFreedom always comes at a cost. A cost I’m willing to pay. Don‘t censor free speech because you can’t think for yourself. Just walk away!
Report Post »Tom K
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:07pmMany times the comments relate to information contained in the story which the reader ignored, did not read or was unable to comprehend due to a government school education. God help US.
Report Post »Magyar
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 5:08pmI’ve been debating back and forth whether to carry in church or not–Thus far, I have elected to leave it in the car—Ah, no longer…. and as to GODHEAD — he might have a point about knowing how to use it… IF YOU DECIDED TO CARRY– BE CERTAIN YOU’RE READY TO PULL THE TRIGGER WITHOUT QUESTION! or don’t carry–you’ll become the victim!
Report Post »Curtman41
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 5:49pmIf you feel you need to carry a gun into a church service and prepare your mind to “pull the trigger without question,” you should stay home. Are you going to keep your eyes open during prayer and worship scanning the congregation like secret service? I’m all for the 2nd amendment and gun rights but the tone in your post reflects that of a redneck with an itchy trigger finger. Keep your guns at home. You give gun owners a bad rap!
Report Post »dsinsg
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 5:54pmOf course you carry to church. My husband has been a cop for over 30 years and every sunday he has his weapon! And I’m glad he does.
Report Post »Calpurnia
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 6:30pmChristianity is not pacifism, Curtman.
Whether you want to keep your eyes opened or closed at various points is up to you, but you should always be prepared to defend the innocent.
Onward, Christian soldiers.
Report Post »meeknotweak
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 6:38pm@ Curtman, ypour mouth is bigger than your common sense, AS a ex south african look up the st james church grenade attack, Then please start carrying and pray you never have to pull the trigger.
Report Post »@ Mygar you are right.
ntxjetta
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 6:45pmI am beginning to feel the same way and will start carrying all the time now.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:38pmI think the point MAGYAR is trying to make is that there are 3 approaches to using a weapon.
1. Military: Without hesitation, kill a known enemy. Shoot as first resort
2. Law Enforcement: Stop the crime. Shoot as last resort.
3. Civilian: Unschooled in either military or law enforcement methods, undecided on course of action, unprepared both mentally and emotionally.
If you are in the #3 category, never carry a gun.
Report Post »timej31
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 4:58pmThe Unions are sending their people in to do this trying to illicit a response.
Report Post »piper60
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 5:05pmHere’s my response—what are you smoking? The man was clearly beset by Satan.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 5:24pmAs I recall, Satan is the head of a Union.
Report Post »PubliusPencilman
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 6:29pmI‘m sure the families of the victim’s appreciate you making cheap and stupid political fodder out of this tragedy.
Report Post »They SMEAR what they FEAR
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 4:46pmI live in FL and I go to church… if some disgruntled or pissed off moron comes into our church like this guy did….he would be shot by four different people by the time he hit the ground…just sayin
Report Post »godhead
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 4:36pmC4 – Wasn’t QUITE a gun free zone now was it?
Report Post »Ceefour
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:59pmJust another example of a gunfree zone and most of the people around LakeLand,if they vote,vote democrat
Report Post »CatB
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 7:11pmGun Free zones … should be called “SITTING DUCK ZONES” …
Report Post »markjz
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:53pmthis is why even in church I carry
Report Post »JustPeachy
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:50pmI have to admit, when I read the line about this man having an attorney, my reaction was, “Who cares?!?” All these eye witnesses saw him do it–police arrested him for shooting and killing one man, seriously injuring two–he’s guilty. I know we have a “system” that needs to be followed, but I couldn‘t care less about this guy’s attorney or if he has one or not.
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 5:15pm@justpeachy.”couldn‘t care less.” TY!
Report Post »Talmid of Yeshua
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:50pmIt’s gotta be one of those angry Tea Baggers. See what Sarah Palin made someone go and do.
Of course, it most likely was liberal socialist, just like that kid that didn’t get into the Army, and that Mexican guy who shot the National Guard members, or Jared Loughner, or the Discovery TV channel shooter… it’s always liberals.. and the media blames it on tea baggers, then sweep it under the rugs when it is found out to be another kooky liberal.
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 5:31pmNaw! He‘s from the other camp but you’ll not see that discussed when the truth comes out. We live in extraordinary times. I too expect a gunman to walk into church when I am there and begin mowing people down. Can’t help to think it because its happening more and more. Its happening for many reasons but mainly because people have given themselves over to irresponsible behaviours and sinful lifestyles that eat at their cores. We were not created to live like Sodomites and since we go against what has been taught that is good and decent before the Lord, we reap what we have sown and our generation does not think twice to take this out on others around us.
Report Post »On Eagle Wings
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 10:21pmits Bush’s fault
Report Post »americanbychoice61
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:42pmThanks God for those brave parishiones that tackled the shooter, Only the Lord knows how many people they saved…
Report Post »angelcat
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 5:20pmAmen to that! That gun was an instrument that saved lives.
Report Post »babylonvi
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:39pmThough there is never legitimate justification for a crime like this, it is unlikely the guy woke up that morning with the revelation that he had to immediately go and kill some preachers. The plot thickens.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:42pmIndeed, there has to be a reason or reasons why this happened. Few things like a murder and shooting are truly random in nature.
Report Post »They SMEAR what they FEAR
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 8:29pmVery true…we only know the results
Report Post »ConservativeChristianB1954
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:38pmIt is sad but some pastors and church attenders I know have concealed carry permits just for reasons like this.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:36pmThis was a Muslim right?
Report Post »shirelover
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:48pmthat has nothing to do with this story, take your nonsense somewhere else
Report Post »stealthyk9
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:54pmJZS: Wow. Get some help.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 6:17pmWow, and I thought it was conservatives who were obsessed with Muslims.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 7:26pmI was just curious. This website rarely posts any crimes that aren’t committed by Muslims or minorities. Maybe that’s because nobody else commits crimes, or maybe it’s something else.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 10:36amJZS
I first read this on FOX NEWS. The shooter had attended the church for 4 or 5 years. He then tried to start his own church. He attended which seminary? Any one can start a religious institution, but it doesn’t making them good or spiritual.
The shooter also owned a small trucking firm. What about the financial distress angle? Might that be the cause?
Or maybe his payer groups were dwindling because he really didn’t know the scriptures that well. People, who had left the church to join his prayer groups, were returning back to the church& he didn’t like it.
Shooting to resolve these stresses is not the way. It isn’t Christian, but not everyone who walks into a church is a Christian.
Like Bill Clinton. He walked into a church during his presidency for show. Does he walk into one now? I would BET not. He no longer needs the window dressing.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:33pmThis is why Churches should not be required to restrict legal conceal carry parishoners from carrying .. they would not have had to “tackle him” .. they could have taken him out without having to make contact.
Report Post »godhead
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 4:39pmYou’re assuming anybody carrying a gun knows how to use it. The odds are just as good that a second “friendly” shooter would injure an innocent as thwart the attacker.
Don’t take my word for it, ask Dick Cheney’s friend Harry.
Tronix
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 5:25pm@Godhead
Report Post »You are very wrong. As long as I know, the person who legally has a gun always try to improve the skills, practice firing and get knowing the gun. I’ve seen that, and even applies to women who doesn’t like guns but for some security reason must carry one. Instead, the crooks believe they are “gangsters”, they love dreaming being “Scarface”, love to grab the weapon like a gang member (twisting counter clock the hand), shooting with one hand (without proper training)…..and they just practice firing every time they rob a grocery or something…..so, the odds are that the injuries come mostly from outlaws, not from normal, average, responsible people with CCW
CatB
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 7:14pmI assure you GODHEAD that with my practice and laser site .. I won’t miss nor hit someone else!
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:55pmOdd thing about shooting practice. If you practice using any sight picture style, you will have trouble in a gun fight. Sight picture shooting is target shooting. In a gun fight, you won’t have time to gain the sight picture. Science has proven point and shoot is the best method in a gun fight. I didn’t believe this at first, but I proved it to myself on the range.
Report Post »SIRMIXALOT
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:22pmYeah, who cares if he has a lawyer. The story is why did he do it !!!
Report Post »johnkostik
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:12pmRandy, that attorney line threw me, too.
Report Post »kindling
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 4:20pmMy reaction to that was first anger and then “Of course he has, we are all intitled to free court appointed lawyers, what the HELL difference does this make. Do they think he got himself a lawyer and then went out and kill people? What a stupid remark. I guess they ask because that lawyer usually has some lame excuse why their client broke the law.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:10pmThe Muslim terrorist Fogel is obviously not a a lone wolf.
Report Post »randy
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:00pmIt was not immediately known if Fogel had an attorney. ?????
And this is part of the story because?
Report Post »