A church in the US state of Florida is in mourning after their pastor was killed during a shooting in Miami. Pastor Gregory Boyd, the 54-year-old leader of New Birth Harvest Outreach Ministries Churches of Deliverance, was gunned down during a confrontation last Thursday.
Police believe that Boyd was out getting some food from a local market when an argument between a woman and a group of men erupted nearby. A second group of men then got involved, before several shots rang out. Boyd was struck and immediately transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital Ryder Trauma Center, where he died.
Local reporter Terrell Forney was on the scene reporting on another incident when the gunfire broke out. "I’m waiting to wrap up the package before we go live again and all of a sudden I hear all of these shots,” Forney explained to ABC News affiliate WPLG. “I hear, ‘Pop! Pop! Pop!' ... and it feels like it never really stopped.”
In a statement posted to Facebook, the church said it was "grieving the loss of our dear Overseer Gregory Boyd".
“Keep his wife, family, friends and congregation in prayer," they added. "His absence is truly felt in Miami-Dade County and possibly even further. We don't have many words currently as we're in shock still.
"But now it's praying time and showing love to one another. Love is what it does!!!"
Boydy's daughter Sharita Cooper talked of the impact her father's death on their family, writing in a Facebook post:
“I keep thinking it’s a nightmare I can’t wake up from. This is so hard to digest.
"To the young people that shot multiple times at each other with no regard for life, I pray that you will see that you have not only took a great man of God but you took away my father, my hero, a Great husband to my mom and an even better friend/family member to countless others.
"He’s well known by many and justice will be served."