Smith told reporters Sunday that the suspect was successfully knocked out by police after a two-hour operation Saturday night.
It ended at the Starville Methodist Church in Vino, 100 miles east of Dallas.
On Sunday morning, the pastor of the church found a man in the bathroom with a red bank bag, which belonged to the church.
The pastor drew his weapon and ordered the suspect to stop, Smith said. The suspect proceeded to the front door, then stabbed him, disarmed him and shot the priest fatally.
Two people were also injured – one by a cannonball and the other by a fall. The survivor of the shooting was in surgery Sunday and his condition is unknown, Smith said.
The suspect fled in the pastor’s stolen vehicle and was searched by a Harrison County deputy who was able to deactivate the vehicle and take the suspect into custody, Smith said.
The suspect was taken to a Tyler-area hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to his left arm.
The case will be investigated as a capital murder and will be presented to the Smith County District Attorney’s Office fee, Smith said.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expressed his condolences in a statement Sunday.
“Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and those killed or injured in this horrific tragedy,” Abbott said.
“I am grateful to the law enforcement officers who apprehended the suspect, and I urge the Texans to join Cecilia and pray for those affected by this horrific shooting. Is served and the Starville community has the equipment needed during this time. “
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