By Staff
Preacher believes reaching for his Bible saved his life
By LYDIA GRIMES Features writer
The Brewton Police Department is investigating an incident in which someone discharged a firearm within the city limits, wounding a local preacher.
Police responded to a call at 209 East Street, Saturday, June 11, 2005, which just happens to be the address of Second Saint Siloam Baptist Church.
Officers talked to several individuals who stated they had heard a gun shot. Investigators also found that the Rev. Willie J. Blue, pastor of the church, had been taken to the hospital.
Upon investigation officers determined that the shot was apparently fired from a high-powered rifle from the direction of North East Street and St. Joseph Avenue.
The bullet traveled through a portable garage, through the driver's window of a vehicle parked in the church parking lot. The bullet exited the passenger's side of the vehicle, ricocheted, and struck the Rev. Blue in the back of the head as he was getting something out his vehicle which was also in the parking lot.
Rev. Blue was transported by private vehicle to D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for a non-life threatening injury, and then released.
Brewton Police Chief David Lovelace said that his department has some leads and hopes to make an arrest soon.
Sgt. Feast Broughton, Officer Rodney Brand, Officer Geoffrey McGraw and Chief Lovelace investigated the incident.