Texas pastor killed in church shooting identified; police say suspect hid in toilet overnight

Authorities have identified a pastor who was shot and killed Sunday at an East Texas church after confronting a man who police say was fleeing law enforcement and hiding in the church overnight .

Mark Allen McWilliams, 62, was killed and two other people were injured when Mytrez Deunte Woolen, 21, allegedly grabbed McWilliams' gun and began shooting at the Starrville Methodist Church, authorities say .

Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said at a news conference Sunday that Woolen waved a shotgun through the sunroof of a car Saturday, sparking the initial search.

Authorities relied on dogs and drones to search for the man late into the night in the woods near Winona, about 100 miles east of Dallas. The man hid in the church bathroom shortly after 2 a.m. and McWilliams discovered him early Sunday, Smith said.

“This is not a church or religious offense,” Smith said, adding that police believe Woolen hid inside the building out of convenience.

Learn more about the shoot: Pastor killed, two others injured in non-religious shooting at Texas church, sheriff says

Woolen faces two felony assault charges and one capital murder charge. He was being held at the Smith County Jail on $3.5 million bail, according to online jail records. It was not immediately clear whether Woolen had an attorney. Smith said Woolen was “known to law enforcement.”

Authorities said the shooting was reported around 9:20 a.m. Sunday and no services were taking place, with only four people inside the church.

McWilliams pulled out a gun and ordered Woolen to the floor after discovering him, Smith said. However, McWilliams was with his wife in the church and became distracted, allowing Woolen to rush in and grab the gun, Smith said. McWilliams was fatally shot and another person was shot and injured. A third person was injured in a fall.

Smith said Woolen then stole a vehicle and headed east, but police used the car's GPS to track her and Woolen was arrested in neighboring Harrison County. He was hospitalized Sunday afternoon with a gunshot wound to his hand. It is unclear when Woolen was injured.

“Our hearts go out to the victims and families of those killed or injured in this terrible tragedy,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement.

Texas gun laws allow licensed handgun owners to carry a weapon in places of worship. These laws were passed after the deadly massacre at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, where two dozen people were shot and killed during a Sunday service in 2017.

Contributor: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas church shooting: Starrville pastor Mark McWilliams suspect identified