New Orleans Pastor Shoot Burglars Outside Of Church

A New Orleans pastor was taken in for questioning after he allegedly shot and wounded a man burglarizing his church on Wednesday.

The Rev. W.L.T. Littleton of Greater Morning Star Baptist Church was taken in for questioning after he allegedly shot at two suspects, wounding one in the head, outside of his church at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Those who know Littleton have reportedly defended their relative's actions, saying his a kind and loving man who was reportedly just trying to defend his property.

"If the robbery suspects would have asked him for money[…]. he would have given it to them," Tiecha Keiffer, Littleton's niece, wrote in an email to The Times-Picayune. "That's just the kind of man he is."

Police reportedly confiscated the handgun Littleton used in the shooting, and no other weapons were reportedly found on church property.

New Orleans Police Department Interim Superintendent Michael Harrison released a statement to local media outlets detailing the incident. "[Littleton] ordered the suspects to stop while holding them at gunpoint. The subjects then entered a truck, which was between a residence and snowball stand, and attempted to flee. Littleton told officers he fired shots in the direction of the subjects," Harrison said.

"Fifty-year-old Rodney Mitchell sustained a gunshot wound to the head. He was responsive and talking when he was transported to the hospital," Harrison added.

The pastor is reportedly a former police officer who also hosts a local talk show that he did not show up for on Thursday following the incident.