A pastor has been taken into custody after he shot dead an assailant who tried to attack him with a brick during a Sunday service, police say.
Gunfire rang out shortly after the ceremony began at about 1.45pm in the City of God church on the west side of Detroit, Michigan.
The preacher pulled out a semi-automatic pistol and opened fire as the 25-year-old man began threatening him in the vestibule, according to local media.
“The pastor had had issues with the man before,” Assistant Detroit Police Chief Steve Dolunt told the Detroit News.
“He had been threatening him to do bodily harm. He walked into the service and went after the pastor with a brick.
“The pastor pulled out his Glock and fired several shots. I think he hit him four or five times, and the man died.”
The church preacher is Keon Allison, reports the Daily Caller.
WXYZ named the victim as Deante Smith.
The pastor was taken into custody for questioning and police have seized his gun.
Prosecutors will decide whether to press charges.
Fears of church violence were raised after nine worshippers were killed in Charleston, South Carolina, in June.
By Sky News US Team