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Dayton pastor shot, killed during services

Posted at 1:57 PM, Feb 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-29 07:49:45-05

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio pastor with deep roots in the Dayton community was shot and killed at his church Sunday, and police have taken his brother into custody for the slaying.

Dayton police say 70-year-old William B. Schooler was shot around 12:30 p.m. while in his office at St. Peter's Missionary Baptist Church. Despite early witness accounts, police say Schooler was not in the pulpit when he was attacked.

His brother, 68-year-old Daniel Gregory Schooler, was in Montgomery County jail Sunday. Police Sgt. Richard Blommel says he'll face a murder charge Monday.

Blommel says the pastor was the only intended victim of the act.

Besides being pastor at the church, William Schooler was a past interim president of the Dayton school board and current president of the local Baptist ministers union.

“He had deep roots in the community,” local community leader Ronnie Moreland told WHIO. “He was a beloved leader. It’s hard to put into words what has happened.”

Police suspected Schooler's brother, 68-year-old Daniel Gregory Schooler, was responsible, according to WHIO.The shooting was related to a domestic violence situation and there was no general threat to the public, police said.

Witnesses said about 20 people were inside the church and the choir was singing when the suspect walked up to the pastor and fired two shots. Parishioners were reported streaming out of the church after the shooting.