x
Breaking News
More () »

State won't seek death penalty for man accused of killing pastor in 2021 East Texas church shooting

Mytrez Woolen, 25, is charged with capital murder in connection with the death of Pastor Mark McWilliams three years ago at Starrville Methodist Church in Winona.

TYLER, Texas — Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty for a man accused of killing an East Texas pastor and injuring a parishioner during a 2021 church shooting.

Mytrez Woolen, 24, is charged with capital murder in connection with the death of Pastor Mark McWilliams three years ago at Starrville Methodist Church in Winona. He is also accused of injuring William "Mike" Sellars

Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman said on Friday that because Woolen has a "verified mental illness," the state has chosen not to seek the death penalty. 

The defense has also decided to not claim insanity. Woolen's case will be set for trial later this year in the 7th District Court, Putman said.

If a person is convicted of capital murder, they face either the death penalty or life in prison without parole. 

In January, Judge Kerry Russell revealed that Woolen was successfully returned to mental competency after receiving treatment at a mental hospital and was treated. Both the state and defense accepted the opinion from the hospital. 

He had been found incompetent to stand trial in December 2021.

Credit: Courtesy - Tyler Morning Telegraph
Mytrez Woolen is charged with capital murder in connection with the shooting death of Starrville Methodist Church Pastor Mark McWilliams.

According to the arrest affidavit, around 9:22 a.m., on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, Smith County deputies were called to the scene of the church, located at 17339 Farm-to-Market Road 16.

Officials say Rosemary McWiliams, the pastor's wife, claimed she and her husband had found someone in their church and her husband had been shot. During the 911 call, dispatchers reported gunshots and screaming could be heard in the background. She stated the suspected shooter, identified later as Woolen, was wearing jeans and a gray sweater, and stole a pickup truck to escape the area.  

RELATED: Suspect in East Texas church shooting had previous arrests in Harrison, Tarrant Counties

RELATED: AFFIDAVIT: Suspect in fatal Starrville Methodist Church shooting also stole church's money bag before taking off in vehicle

When deputies arrived on scene, they found Sellars sitting outside the church with what appeared to be gunshot wounds, according to the affidavit. Sellars told officials when he arrived at the church, he heard gunshots coming from inside. He said he then saw Woolen coming toward the front door and Woolen began shooting toward him. Sellars said he tried to run for cover, but was shot before the suspect drove off.

Another witness, who was at the scene during the shooting, said Pastor McWilliams opened a bathroom door and put up his hands. The pastor then told the suspect, who was holding the church's money bag, to leave the church. The witness said the pastor continued to tell the suspect to leave and took out his handgun. According to the affidavit, it was at this time Woolen rushed toward Pastor McWilliams and the two began fighting on the ground. Woolen was able to take the gun from the pastor and shot several times in the chest, the affidavit states. He then reportedly began shooting at the pastor's wife who was hiding by the stove. The witness said Woolen approached him demanding his truck keys and ran out of the church.

Once law enforcement obtained the witness's vehicle information, ONSTAR was able to track the vehicle which was headed east on Interstate 20 toward Marshall, according to the affidavit. The affidavit says the Harrison County Sheriff's Office was able to catch up with Woolen who refused to stop. ONSTAR then disabled the vehicle and a traffic stop was conducted. The affidavit states Woolen was then taken into custody without incident. The church's money bag was also found in the vehicle.

Pastor McWilliams died from his injuries, while Sellars was sustained non-life threatening injuries that required surgery. Rosemary was injured in a fall.

Woolen remains in the Smith County Jail on bonds totaling $3.5 million. 

Before You Leave, Check This Out