A Memphis Tennessee pastor was shot after he tried to stop thieves who were stealing a car owned by a Sunday School teacher. The violent attack occurred on Sunday, February 25, at about 9 a.m., just before the Sunday morning service. Clemmie Livingston Jr., 70 preaches at The New Zionfield Baptist Church. The church took to Facebook to announce the attack.
In the post, the church wrote, “Keep Pastor Clemmie Livingston Jr In Prayer He Was Shot At Our Church This Morning… Right Now He Is In Surgery May God Touch The Doctors Hand …. My Dad Has Always Been A Fighter And I’m Praying He Keep On Keeping On……” In the immediate aftermath, the church announced he was fighting for life.
Commenting on the harrowing post, people left messages of prayer and support. “Praying For You Pastor, Your W Memphis, Members Love You,” one commenter said. “I’m praying for Pastor Livingston he is a good man of God. Pastor Livingston we’re praying for you,” another added. “Lifting Pastor Livingston and your entire natural and spiritual family up in prayer. God be with you all,” said still another.
The Memphis Police Department added more details than the New Zionfield Baptist Church. Speaking to local news outlet Fox 13, the department said, “The victim was shot when he came out of the church as the suspects were stealing a 2019 silver Chevrolet Corvette. As the suspects fled the scene in the stolen vehicle, they fired shots, striking the victim.”
Continuing, the authorities described how an armed bystander intervened and fired on the suspected car thieves and attempted murderers. It said, “A second person who was outside of the church at the time the car was stolen returned fire after the suspects shot first. The victim was in stable condition at the last update. The vehicle has not been recovered at this time. This is an ongoing investigation.”
R’Shunio Greer, 18, was initially charged with aggravated robbery and theft of property, says WREG a local news outlet. He was also facing a bevy of gun possession charges. The teenager was tied to Livingston’s shooting after investigators reportedly found pictures of R’Shunio Greer in a car that was stolen from Livingston’s church, Zionfield Baptist Church in Memphis, the day the pastor was shot. Greer also allegedly admitted to driving away from the scene of the shooting.
“I was stunned when they said there were not any witnesses there, knowing that we were there,” Rev. Livingston said. “That was the thing that shocked me…I don’t let things disappoint me such as this,” he explained. “I feel like the judicial system, they do what they want to do anyway.” He added “I am sure that others will be brought in… If you listen to the guy’s statement, he says he didn’t do it. He says, ‘But I was with them.’ The question is, ‘Who is the them?”
Further, Pastor Livingston’s 17-year-old grandson, Kavion Woodin, spoke to Fox 13 and described what the community should learn from this horrific tragedy. Woodin said, “He was a man of giving, willingness, kindness, compassion, and he was a man that never did wrong towards nobody.” He then said, “Honestly, I’m sick and tired of losing people to gun violence and cars. I’ve lost seven friends due to gun violence. I’ve lost two friends to cars, and I’m nothing but 17. It’s time to stop the violence. It’s time to stop the robbing, stop the killing. It’s time to put the guns down.”