Pastor deflected shots with Bible
A pastor gunned down at a church in a St Louis suburb used a Bible to deflect the first of four shots fired during his Sunday sermon, police said.
State Police Director Larry Trent said the Bible exploded, producing what appeared to be confetti.
Trent said about 150 people in attendance initially believed the episode was a skit being performed as part of the service at First Baptist Church in Maryville.
Trent said only one of the four rounds fired from the .45 calibre handgun struck and killed 45-year-old pastor Fred Winters.
Two congregants and the gunman suffered stab wounds while the gunman was wrestled to the floor after his gun jammed.
Trent said no one at the church recognised the gunman.
