Pastor at Dayton, Ohio church shot and killed by brother during service

He became his brother's reaper.  An Ohio pastor was shot and killed by his brother at the pulpit during a Sunday church service in Dayton, police said.

The Rev. William Schooler, 70, was murdered in front of more than 20 parishioners at St. Peter's Missionary Baptist Church, WDTN reported.

Around 12:30 p.m., as the choir was singing, the pastor stepped onto the pulpit. His brother Daniel Schooler, 68, was sitting in the pew. He followed William to the pulpit and fired several shots, sending the congregation fleeing in fear, police said.

William died from his injuries, and Daniel was arrested inside the church. No other victims were reported.

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Daniel Schooler, 68, was charged with fatally shooting his brother and Dayton pastor William Schooler, 70.

Police gave no details about a motive for the sibling slaying.

William was a Vietnam veteran who earned a Bronze Star for his service, according to the Dayton Daily News. He grew up in Dayton, taught in the school district and worked as a principal in the Jefferson Township from 1978 to 1997. In the last years of his life, he served on the Board of Education and was president of the Baptist Ministers Union.

"He was a pillar in the community," his niece Sheafra Schooler told the Daily News.

"He's always been tight with the family. He was a loving man, a good father."
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A pastor at St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church was killed by his brother during service.

William had two adult daughters and was married for decades, she said. He and Daniel grew up with 11 other siblings, most of whom are now dead, she said.

Sheafra lives in Atlanta and said she rarely saw William and Daniel in recent years, but never detected anything amiss in their relationship.

"I don't know what to tell you," she said when asked about the shooting.

"Not only did I lose an uncle, I lost two uncles. That's what happened to me today. It's tragic."