Pastor Mark McWilliams, 62, of Winona, Texas, was fatally shot on January 3, 2021, inside Starrville Methodist Church while preparing for Sunday service. The shooter, Mytrez Woolen, 25, had taken refuge in the church after fleeing from police following a separate firearms-related incident. During a confrontation Woolen demanded McWilliams’ vehicle keys; a struggle followed and McWilliams was shot. Another congregant, William Mike Sellars, was wounded before the shooter fled in a stolen pickup truck and was later arrested after the vehicle was disabled on Interstate 20.

Woolen was charged with capital murder and aggravated burglary. The state declined to seek the death penalty due to Woolen’s diagnosed mental illness; competency to stand trial was reaffirmed after treatment at Vernon State Hospital. The shooting prompted expressions of condolence from state officials and deep community grief. Rosemary McWilliams read a victim-impact statement urging Woolen to seek God during his imprisonment.

If anyone attended Starrville Methodist Church that morning or has information about the events leading up to the confrontation, please share what you know.