Updated: The gunman was named by a newspaper, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, as Terry Joe Sedlacek, 27, of Troy, Illinois. Sedlacek’s mother, Ruth Abernathy, gave an interview that was published on Aug 6, 2008.
Abernathy said her son Terry suffered from Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis for 9 years before it was successfully diagnosed. Some sufferers of Lyme disease may never be completely cured and may need life-long medication. This is the link on Sedlacek and Lyme disease. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you need to know about ticks and Lyme disease.
The story said Sedlacek had lesions on his brain. Sedlacek was on medication to prevent seizures. Sedlacek had difficulty speaking. Abernathy said that it was a great improvement for Terry when he could engage in conversations. That was how bad Lyme disease affected him.
Travis the chimpanzee who attacked his owner’s friend was said to have Lyme disease.
The original story about the shooting of Pastor Fred Winters is below.
Fred Winters, the senior pastor who was shot by a gunman in church in Maryville Illinois, has died. Fred Winter was a pastor at First Baptist Church at 7110 State Route 162. Winters served at the church 20 miles northeast of St Louis.
Fred Winters, of Edwardsville, was standing at the pulpit when a man came up to the front. Winters asked the man if he could help him. This man suddenly fired multiple shots at Winters. Winters died on the way to hospital.
The suspect cut himself with a knife. Two church members, Keith Melton and Terry Bullard, who tried to subdue him were injured. They were warded in hospital. Their injuries are not life threatening. The suspect was hospitalized and his condition is critical.
Fred Winters married his wife in 1987. The Winters have 2 kids. Fred Winters had been the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church since 1987. Winters was an adjunct professor fro the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Fred Winters was the former president of the Illinois Baptist State Association.
There will be a prayer service at the auditorium at Metro Community Church, at 3553 Ridgeview Road in Edwardsville at 6:00 pm today. This service will pray for the dead, the survivors and all those concerned. Due to the limited seating capacity, the service is restricted to the members of the First Baptist Church.
Details here. There are photos/video at the link.
Updated.
The suspect is 27 years old from Troy, Illinois. This man does not have any criminal record. He fired 4 shots. One shot hit Winters’ bible. One shot hit Pastor Fred Winters in the chest. His gun jammed and that was when he started using his knife.
CNN on Fred Winters.
Photo gallery on Fred Winters & First Baptist church, Maryville, Illinois – link.
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