WV Pastor Murdered at Shooting Range - One of ours MarkMc753

Monty · June 28, 2008, 12:37 PM

I met this guy about a year ago in person after meeting him on here.

From the Associated Press:

WAYNE, W.Va. (AP) - Authorities are investigating the death of a former Ohio minister whose body was found at a shooting range in the Beech Fork area.

The Rev. Mark McCalla's body was found Thursday morning. Wayne County Sheriff David Pennington says McCalla suffered a single shot to the head. Police say it's a homicide.

Before serving at Highlawn Presbyterian Church in Huntington, McCalla worked at churches in Columbus, Ohio, and Corry and Franklin, Pa.

McCalla's body was found about an hour after he served breakfast to a group of volunteers working to improve area housing for low-income residents.

Pennington says authorities are not sure if the 45-year-old went to the state park by himself.

Monty

scrat · June 28, 2008, 12:39 PM

wowwww not good. Hope they figure this one out quick

harmonic · June 28, 2008, 12:40 PM

Mercy! Was anything stolen? That's an article that's begging for details.

siglite · June 28, 2008, 12:42 PM

I have another post in here on it. They're looking for two army deserters they've charged with the crime. Police aren't talking about motive, and it's leaving me speculating Matix/Platt style range theft.

FCFC · June 28, 2008, 12:46 PM

Horrible. Apparently a couple of animals.

Cincinnati Soldier Allegedly Kills Minister in WV (Update)

Suspects, considered AWOL from the Army, have been arrested.By 700WLW News
Saturday, June 28, 2008

(Huntington, WV.) A Cincinnati man is one of two men that was arrested in the killing of a former Ohio minister. Both men were arrested in Columbus Friday night.

First-degree murder warrants were filed in Huntington, West Virginia against 22-year old Daniel Smith of Cincinnati, and 19-year old Stephen Wilson of Virginia in the shooting death of 48-year old Reverend Mark McCalla. Smith and Wilson are U.S. Army deserters, and had been stationed at Ft. Drum in New York, but the Army says they have been gone since May.

McCalla's body was found about 5-miles south of Huntington, WV. at a rifle range June 19th. His body was discovered an hour after he served breakfast to a group of volunteers working to improve housing for low-income residents. He had been shot in the head.

http://www.700wlw.com/pages/localNew...rticle=3890075

divemedic · June 28, 2008, 01:24 PM

Odd coincidence is his last post:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost....4&postcount=29

Quote:

I live near a State Park with miles of awesome Mt Biking single track AND a shooting range

written the day before his body was discovered.

koja48 · June 28, 2008, 01:41 PM

May God rest his soul.

30 cal slob · June 28, 2008, 01:42 PM

my thoughts and prayers to this family.

RIP MarkMc753.

Mike J · June 28, 2008, 01:48 PM

I am so sorry to hear this, will pray for his family also.

steveracer · June 28, 2008, 01:49 PM

Terrible. Rest in peace, padre.

Ragnar Danneskjold · June 28, 2008, 02:16 PM

Hmmm...maybe execution? Desertion and murder?

SCKimberFan · June 28, 2008, 02:24 PM

May GOD bring comfort to his family. And justice to those who took his life.

**TexasRifleman** · June 28, 2008, 02:25 PM

If anyone finds out any information about a memorial or where any donations in his name might be sent please post that. This was a member that posted here, that hits close to home.

Hope they fry the guys that did this.

Prayers to his family.

3KillerBs · June 28, 2008, 02:36 PM

May God be with all who loved him and may He deal justice to the murderers.

Texpatriate · June 28, 2008, 02:37 PM

Tragic story. I hope and pray that justice is served. May the Lord bless you Pastor Mark and bring you into his eternal peace.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/homep...r-slain-pastor

Highlawn Presbyterian Church members grieve for slain pastor
Jun 22, 2008 @ 06:09 PM
Herald-Dispatch.com

HUNTINGTON — Though no one wanted to talk about exactly what was said at Sunday’s service at Highlawn Presbyterian Church, it was evident that it was a prelude to what today’s funeral service will be like for their slain pastor, Mark McCalla.

The 11 a.m. service concluded at about 12:15 p.m., and people slowly filed out the doors. Many were still wiping away tears, while others embraced.

The service was led by Richard Wilson, the director of the Pastoral Counseling Center at Cabell Huntington Hospital, said church elder Charlie Woolcock. He also said that McCalla’s family has asked that he and church members hold comments from the media until after the funeral services.

Visitation to celebrate the pastor’s life was held at Chapman’s Mortuary in Huntington Sunday afternoon and evening. A service will be held in his honor at 2 p.m. today at Highlawn Presbyterian Church, 2814 Collis Ave. The Rev. Mike Duchaneau will lead the service.

McCalla was found dead of a gunshot to the head at the rifle range at Beech Fork State Park last Thursday morning. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate what they’ve declared a homicide.

akodo · June 28, 2008, 03:04 PM

rampant speculation time...

Do you think the two deserters were going to the gun range with the goal of jumping a shooter and taking his guns?

Do you think the pastor was instead trying to help the two deserters, talk them into surrendering and help them through it, when they shot him and dumped his body on the gun range hoping to make it look like an accident?

It's good to know we'll have another shooter helping set up fresh targets at the Pearly Gate Shooting Range

**Lee Lapin** · June 28, 2008, 04:42 PM

http://www.wvgazette.com/latest/200806280187

June 29, 2008
Two arrested in slaying of former minister
By The Associated Press

HUNTINGTON -- Two U.S. Army deserters charged in the killing of a West Virginia minister at a state park shooting range have been arrested in Ohio, police said.

Stephen C. Wilson, 19, of Cincinnati, and Daniel R. Smith, 22, of Newport News, Va., were arrested without incident Friday in Columbus, Ohio, said Sgt. Dana Norman of the Columbus Police Department.

First-degree murder warrants were filed in West Virginia against the men Friday in the death of the Rev. Mark McCalla, 48, who had worked at churches in Ohio and Franklin, Pa. McCalla had been working at Highlawn Presbyterian Church in Huntington. He was shot once in the head at close range and dragged about 20 yards, authorities said.

McCalla's body was found June 19 at the Beech Fork Lake Wildlife Management Area, about five miles south of Huntington. It was discovered about an hour after he served breakfast to a group of volunteers working to improve housing for low-income residents.

According to authorities and criminal complaints filed in Wayne County court, the two suspects told a fellow soldier they had shot and killed McCalla.

Smith and Wilson had been stationed at Fort Drum in New York, but the Army has listed them as deserters since May, authorities said. Base spokesman Randolph Murphy said they were in Fort Drum's 10th Mountain Division.

The men had been staying at a home near Huntington with a fellow soldier they served with at Fort Drum, according to criminal complaints. The home was searched Thursday, and police confiscated about a dozen firearms, among other items. The other soldier who lived at the home has not been charged.

Wayne County Sheriff David Pennington said police think McCalla was killed with his own gun, which they have not recovered.

"If any, the one solace that we can take from this is that these two will cause no other family to go through what we have over the past week,'' McCalla's stepson Alan Eargle said in a statement. "We are somewhat relieved, still bewildered, and just plain angry that we will never be able to understand the motive for such a heinous act.''

Rachen · June 28, 2008, 04:53 PM

EXECUTION for the two murderers. There is no other way. Unless throw them into a prison and pay every single one of the other inmates to rip them to shreds from head to toe.

yokel · June 28, 2008, 04:53 PM

I am very shocked and saddened by this. We have lost a very good person.

Shung · June 28, 2008, 05:06 PM

really sad.. Incredible how fast those 2 guys were caught.-

romma · June 28, 2008, 05:14 PM

A lesson here as well... Just because I have a firearm, there is certainly no guarantee that I can walk away from anything I encounter.

Geno · June 28, 2008, 05:17 PM

Life can be so random, so cruel and so unjust. Prayers for the victim and his family and friends. The two animals, they're on their own for prayers. Perhaps after enough decades in prison they will see the light.

Houston Tom · June 28, 2008, 05:18 PM

My thoughts and prayers are with the family

Solo Flyer · June 28, 2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

If anyone finds out any information about a memorial or where any donations in his name might be sent please post that. This was a member that posted here, that hits close to home.

A fine idea.A terrible crime.My prayers for his soul and his grieving family.

Noxx · June 28, 2008, 05:50 PM

Ain't right.

The wife and I will have his family in our prayers tonight.

June 28, 2008, 12:37 PM	#1
Monty Member Join Date: February 12, 2003 Location: WV Posts: 69	WV Pastor Murdered at Shooting Range - One of ours MarkMc753 I met this guy about a year ago in person after meeting him on here. From the Associated Press: WAYNE, W.Va. (AP) - Authorities are investigating the death of a former Ohio minister whose body was found at a shooting range in the Beech Fork area. The Rev. Mark McCalla's body was found Thursday morning. Wayne County Sheriff David Pennington says McCalla suffered a single shot to the head. Police say it's a homicide. Before serving at Highlawn Presbyterian Church in Huntington, McCalla worked at churches in Columbus, Ohio, and Corry and Franklin, Pa. McCalla's body was found about an hour after he served breakfast to a group of volunteers working to improve area housing for low-income residents. Pennington says authorities are not sure if the 45-year-old went to the state park by himself. Monty __________________ WhyNOTbarackobama, TacticalGearReview.com, WVGunSwap, ultra-mobile notebooks and Linux operating systems, you'll find info about all that and more over at my new blog.... Monty's Reality

June 28, 2008, 12:39 PM	#2
scrat Member Join Date: January 27, 2007 Location: Monrovia, CA Posts: 6,200	wowwww not good. Hope they figure this one out quick __________________ *MOLON LABE*

June 28, 2008, 12:42 PM	#4
siglite Member Join Date: July 18, 2007 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 1,089	I have another post in here on it. They're looking for two army deserters they've charged with the crime. Police aren't talking about motive, and it's leaving me speculating Matix/Platt style range theft. __________________ --------------------------------------------------- The chauvinist, arrogant, jerk on the range or behind the gun counter does as much damage to the Second Amendment as Dianne Fienstien. They serve to alienate fully half of the voting base. I hold them in equal contempt. WVCDL http://forums.wvcdl.org

June 28, 2008, 01:42 PM	#8
30 cal slob Member Join Date: March 2, 2004 Location: Location, Location! Posts: 2,067	my thoughts and prayers to this family. RIP MarkMc753. __________________ There once was a Glock from Nantucket ...

June 28, 2008, 01:49 PM	#10
steveracer Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 1,334	Terrible. Rest in peace, padre. __________________ "The most brutal part of the zombie apocalypse is pretending I'm not excited."- Deer Hunter

June 28, 2008, 12:40 PM	#3
harmonic Member Join Date: August 10, 2007 Posts: 1,218	Mercy! Was anything stolen? That's an article that's begging for details.

June 28, 2008, 12:46 PM	#5
FCFC Has Never Owned a Gun Join Date: January 11, 2007 Posts: 651	Horrible. Apparently a couple of animals. Cincinnati Soldier Allegedly Kills Minister in WV (Update) Suspects, considered AWOL from the Army, have been arrested.By 700WLW News Saturday, June 28, 2008 (Huntington, WV.) A Cincinnati man is one of two men that was arrested in the killing of a former Ohio minister. Both men were arrested in Columbus Friday night. First-degree murder warrants were filed in Huntington, West Virginia against 22-year old Daniel Smith of Cincinnati, and 19-year old Stephen Wilson of Virginia in the shooting death of 48-year old Reverend Mark McCalla. Smith and Wilson are U.S. Army deserters, and had been stationed at Ft. Drum in New York, but the Army says they have been gone since May. McCalla's body was found about 5-miles south of Huntington, WV. at a rifle range June 19th. His body was discovered an hour after he served breakfast to a group of volunteers working to improve housing for low-income residents. He had been shot in the head. http://www.700wlw.com/pages/localNew...rticle=3890075

June 28, 2008, 01:41 PM	#7
koja48 member Join Date: February 21, 2005 Location: SE WA State Posts: 1,913	May God rest his soul.

June 28, 2008, 01:48 PM	#9
Mike J Member Join Date: July 3, 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 926	I am so sorry to hear this, will pray for his family also.

June 28, 2008, 02:16 PM	#11
Ragnar Danneskjold Member Join Date: February 1, 2007 Location: San Frann Arbor, Michigan Posts: 2,268	Hmmm...maybe execution? Desertion and murder? __________________ Please use capital letters and punctuation properly in your post. It makes you seem like an ignorant child when you don't.

June 28, 2008, 02:24 PM	#12
SCKimberFan Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: South of the Mason-Dixon Line Posts: 1,236	May GOD bring comfort to his family. And justice to those who took his life. __________________ You can teach the ignorant, you can't fix stupid.

June 28, 2008, 02:36 PM	#14
3KillerBs Member Join Date: April 28, 2008 Location: NC Sandhills Posts: 766	May God be with all who loved him and may He deal justice to the murderers. __________________ 3KB "When confronted by a hungry wolf, it is unwise to goad the beast... But it is equally unwise to imagine the snarling animal a friend and offer your hand..." - Cicero

June 28, 2008, 02:37 PM	#15
Texpatriate Member Join Date: February 7, 2005 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 278	Tragic story. I hope and pray that justice is served. May the Lord bless you Pastor Mark and bring you into his eternal peace. http://www.herald-dispatch.com/homep...r-slain-pastor Highlawn Presbyterian Church members grieve for slain pastor Jun 22, 2008 @ 06:09 PM Herald-Dispatch.com HUNTINGTON — Though no one wanted to talk about exactly what was said at Sunday’s service at Highlawn Presbyterian Church, it was evident that it was a prelude to what today’s funeral service will be like for their slain pastor, Mark McCalla. The 11 a.m. service concluded at about 12:15 p.m., and people slowly filed out the doors. Many were still wiping away tears, while others embraced. The service was led by Richard Wilson, the director of the Pastoral Counseling Center at Cabell Huntington Hospital, said church elder Charlie Woolcock. He also said that McCalla’s family has asked that he and church members hold comments from the media until after the funeral services. Visitation to celebrate the pastor’s life was held at Chapman’s Mortuary in Huntington Sunday afternoon and evening. A service will be held in his honor at 2 p.m. today at Highlawn Presbyterian Church, 2814 Collis Ave. The Rev. Mike Duchaneau will lead the service. McCalla was found dead of a gunshot to the head at the rifle range at Beech Fork State Park last Thursday morning. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate what they’ve declared a homicide. __________________ -------------------------------------- "COME AND TAKE IT." National Rifle Association Gun Owners of America Missouri Sport Shooting Association

June 28, 2008, 03:04 PM	#16
akodo Member Join Date: August 31, 2005 Posts: 2,516	rampant speculation time... Do you think the two deserters were going to the gun range with the goal of jumping a shooter and taking his guns? Do you think the pastor was instead trying to help the two deserters, talk them into surrendering and help them through it, when they shot him and dumped his body on the gun range hoping to make it look like an accident? It's good to know we'll have another shooter helping set up fresh targets at the Pearly Gate Shooting Range

June 28, 2008, 04:42 PM	#17
Lee Lapin Moderator Join Date: March 26, 2004 Location: SE NC Posts: 9,505	http://www.wvgazette.com/latest/200806280187 June 29, 2008 Two arrested in slaying of former minister By The Associated Press HUNTINGTON -- Two U.S. Army deserters charged in the killing of a West Virginia minister at a state park shooting range have been arrested in Ohio, police said. Stephen C. Wilson, 19, of Cincinnati, and Daniel R. Smith, 22, of Newport News, Va., were arrested without incident Friday in Columbus, Ohio, said Sgt. Dana Norman of the Columbus Police Department. First-degree murder warrants were filed in West Virginia against the men Friday in the death of the Rev. Mark McCalla, 48, who had worked at churches in Ohio and Franklin, Pa. McCalla had been working at Highlawn Presbyterian Church in Huntington. He was shot once in the head at close range and dragged about 20 yards, authorities said. McCalla's body was found June 19 at the Beech Fork Lake Wildlife Management Area, about five miles south of Huntington. It was discovered about an hour after he served breakfast to a group of volunteers working to improve housing for low-income residents. According to authorities and criminal complaints filed in Wayne County court, the two suspects told a fellow soldier they had shot and killed McCalla. Smith and Wilson had been stationed at Fort Drum in New York, but the Army has listed them as deserters since May, authorities said. Base spokesman Randolph Murphy said they were in Fort Drum's 10th Mountain Division. The men had been staying at a home near Huntington with a fellow soldier they served with at Fort Drum, according to criminal complaints. The home was searched Thursday, and police confiscated about a dozen firearms, among other items. The other soldier who lived at the home has not been charged. Wayne County Sheriff David Pennington said police think McCalla was killed with his own gun, which they have not recovered. "If any, the one solace that we can take from this is that these two will cause no other family to go through what we have over the past week,'' McCalla's stepson Alan Eargle said in a statement. "We are somewhat relieved, still bewildered, and just plain angry that we will never be able to understand the motive for such a heinous act.'' __________________ MINDSET - SKILLSET - TOOLSET - IN THAT ORDER! -with props to COL John Boyd, USAF Boyd on the web- http://globalguerrillas.typepad.com/john_boyd/

June 28, 2008, 04:53 PM	#18
Rachen member Join Date: March 16, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,544	EXECUTION for the two murderers. There is no other way. Unless throw them into a prison and pay every single one of the other inmates to rip them to shreds from head to toe.

June 28, 2008, 04:53 PM	#19
yokel Member Join Date: April 29, 2007 Posts: 861	I am very shocked and saddened by this. We have lost a very good person.

June 28, 2008, 05:06 PM	#20
Shung Member Join Date: June 11, 2008 Location: Geneva, Switzerland Posts: 1,686	really sad.. Incredible how fast those 2 guys were caught.- __________________ The Eagle has landed ! Swiss gun collector and shooter.. and proud of it ! Geneva is not about conventions. It's where I live ;)

June 28, 2008, 05:14 PM	#21
romma Member Join Date: June 28, 2005 Location: Southeastern,CT Posts: 3,211	A lesson here as well... Just because I have a firearm, there is certainly no guarantee that I can walk away from anything I encounter. __________________ "We The People" not "You The Government"!

June 28, 2008, 05:17 PM	#22
Geno Member Join Date: June 11, 2005 Posts: 10,083	Life can be so random, so cruel and so unjust. Prayers for the victim and his family and friends. The two animals, they're on their own for prayers. Perhaps after enough decades in prison they will see the light. __________________ "A Shootist’s Prayer" Guns are good; Guns are great; Please Lord help those who us hate. Give us this day our daily lead, and hunting land we’ll call a spread. If I should die here on this day, I pray for guns in Heaven with which to play. Amen, Doc2005 02-Nov-2006

June 28, 2008, 05:18 PM	#23
Houston Tom Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 194	My thoughts and prayers are with the family

June 28, 2008, 05:50 PM	#25
Noxx Member Join Date: June 8, 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,343	Ain't right. The wife and I will have his family in our prayers tonight. __________________ I don't live in Fantasyland, I just work there. Dog-Fu!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode