Pastor Shot, Killed In Illinois Church

Reports from KMOV-TV in St. Louis said a man stepped onto the stage and opened fire inside the Maryville, Ill. church during 8 a.m. Sunday morning service several reports stated. Two parishoners reacted by stabbing the gunman and wrestling him to the ground.

The seriously wounded victims were airlifted by helicopter to an area St. Louis. It is not clear why the lone gunman opened fire on the church killing its pastor. Witnesses reported that the gunman came in during service and walked straight up to the pulpit and began shooting. Rev. Winters appeared and was shot three times in the melee according to CNN.

Another report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch states that the attacker walked up to Rev. Winters and exchanged words. The gunman then pulled out the gun and shot the church pastor once. It is said the the .45 automatic gun jammed and the gunman began stabbing himself.

Then the suspect pulled out a knife and attempted to stab himself. That's when the two parishoners attempting to hold him for the police were also cut during the scuffle. CNN confirmed that there were three male victims brought to St. Louis University Hospital that were victims of the church shooting.

Laura Keller, spokeswoman for St. Louis University Hospital told CNN that one of the male victims was dead on arrival, another man was in surgery, and the third victim was the suspect. No information is immediately known about the church shooting suspects' condition at this time.

Officials said the church had a disaster plan in place.

Photo courtesy John L. White/P-D