Three outbursts of violence in or near churches, including one during worship services, are raising safety concerns for church leaders.

Eddie Contreras, youth pastor at Walnut Park Casa De Mi Gloria Church in Garland, Texas, was speaking to a group of students Friday evening (Sept. 24) when Jose Pablo, a student struggling with family problems, walked into the service.

Contreras continued preaching despite the interruption, and then Pablo pulled out a gun and shot the youth pastor, according to NBC News. Contreras is expected to recover.

Meanwhile, 75-year-old Thomas Repchic of Youngstown, Ohio, was shot and killed Saturday as he was driving his wife, Jacqueline, 74, home from St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church, where she works in the offices, The Associated Press reported.

Repchic was killed when six to 12 gunshots were fired at the couple’s Cadillac. His wife was wounded but is expected to recover.

Repchic’s death was the second shooting death outside St. Dominic’s; last January, 80-year-old Angeline Fimognari was shot and killed after Mass in the church parking lot.

Youngstown Bishop George Murry encouraged the community to support each other during the tragedy…

The church is located in a neighborhood of older homes, some of which are boarded up and abandoned. The Repchics’ car was found four blocks away from the church in an area close to empty, closed commercial outlets.

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