Prosecutors: Pastor justified in fatal shooting of man in Detroit church, won't be charged

Published May 03, 2016

Prosecutors say charges won't be filed against a pastor who fatally shot a man inside a Detroit storefront church.

The Wayne County prosecutor's office announced Friday that the pastor of City of God church "had an honest and reasonable belief" that he and others were at risk of death or harm Oct. 18., when Deante Smith rushed at him with a brick.

The Associated Press isn't naming the pastor.

Authorities say the 25-year-old Smith forced his way inside the church, pushed the pastor's mother to the ground and rushed past men restraining him and toward the pastor, brandishing the brick. The pastor shot him once, then multiple times when Smith approached him again.

Prosecutors say Smith had threatened the pastor on several occasions, accusing him of having an affair with his estranged wife.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/prosecutors-pastor-justified-in-fatal-shooting-of-man-in-detroit-church-wont-be-charged