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| Ted Merchant |
An elderly pastor was shot and killed by another pastor, who is disabled, during an argument about religious, according to police in Illinois.
The Chicago Police Department said that they have arrested 67-year-old Ted Merchant, after being accused of killing 80-year-old Allen Smith.
In court, Merchant pleaded not guilty to a one count of first-degree murder. He was booked into jail, and he is being held in custody pending a bail hearing.
According to the police investigation, the incident unfolded early on Monday morning. Smith and Merchant were in the backyard of Senior Suites of Rainbow Beach, and they talked about Bible passages.
Suddenly, Merchant pulled out a gun and shot Smith several times. Smith died at the scene. Merchant fled in his motorized scooter, but was later arrested.
Witnesses at the scene said that Merchant was trying to set up his own ministry and attracted a following while Smith held services at the senior citizen center.
Smith and Merchant often argued about religion, and members of the senior citizen center do not know what led to the shooting.
