Man charged in connection to shooting death of Baptist preacher

KSDK -- Madison County prosecutors filed charges against the man accused of shooting a Baptist preacher to death in Maryville, Illinois Sunday morning.

PHOTO GALLERY: Maryville, Illinois church shooting

Read the charges against Sedlacek



Terry Sedlacek, 27, is charged with two counts of first degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery.

On the two counts of first degree murder, prosecutors allege that Sedlacek walked into the church armed and with the intent to kill Pastor Fred Winters with a handgun.

The aggravated battery charges are connected to the alleged cuttings of two people who tried to subdue Sedlacek inside the church. Sedlacek is accused of cutting himself, congregant Terry Bullard and congregant Keith Melton. Melton was treated and released. Bullard remains hospitalized.


According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Sedlacek suffers from Lyme disease. The newspaper featured him in an article in August about how the disease attacked his brain. The article also discussed his battle with the disease that included a series of treatments for lesions on his brain.

Investigators said they want to continue to interview the 150 or so people who witnessed the shooting of Senior Pastor Fred Winters, 45, of Edwardsville, during the 8:15 a.m. service Sunday at First Baptist Church at 7110 State Route 162, which is about 20 miles northeast of St. Louis.

Master Trooper Ralph Timmins, of Illinois State Police, said Winters was at the pulpit when a man came down the aisle.

Witnesses said the pastor talked to the man, and then the suspect fired four shots at Pastor Winters. The first shot hit a Bible and exploded like confetti. One of the four shots hit Pastor Winters in the chest. The gun then jammed and the suspect stabbed himself in the throat with a knife and also wounded the two church members.

Pastor Winters was taken to Anderson Hospital after the shooting. He died on his way to Saint Louis University Hospital.

The Maryville Police Department said Sedlacek was taken to an area hospital and was then air lifted to St. Louis University Hospital.

Sedlacek underwent surgery and was listed serious condition, according to Master Trooper Timmins. Illinois State Police have someone posted by Sedlacek's bed around the clock. He is expected to be hospitalized for a few days. Once released, he will be transferred to the Madison County Jail in Edwardsville and held without bond.


It's still not clear what was said between the pastor and the suspect. Investigators are going to review audio and video recordings of the service. Church members did not recognize Sedlacek.

Pastor Winters and his wife were married in 1987 and have two daughters. Pastor Winters had served as Senior Pastor of the church since 1987. He oversaw a massive expansion of the church. It now has a sanctuary that can seat 1,000 people. He is the former president of the Illinois Baptist State Association and was an adjunct professor for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.