Pastor Killed, Secretary Critical at Arlington, TX Church

This is a terribly sad story:

Police are searching for a suspect or suspects after a 29-year-old pastor was found dead and his 67-year-old ministry assistant critically injured inside the NorthPointe Baptist Church in the 2200 block of Brown Boulevard in Arlington.

Arlington officers found Pastor Clint Dobson dead and Judy Elliott severely beaten after receiving a call at about 4:15 p.m. Thursday. The caller had gone to the church after becoming concerned that no one could be reached. After looking into the window and seeing a motionless body on the floor, the person called the police.

Elliott was transferred to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth and she remains in critical condition.

Members of the church gathered outside the church Thursday evening comforting one another, including Dobson's grief-stricken wife.

"She was down on her knees in disbelief of what was going on," said Leesa Ilkka, a neighbor of the church.

NorthPointe Baptist is a satellite ministry of First Baptist Church of Arlington.

It doesn't sound like any motive other than robbery is likely in this case. The killer apparently left the scene in the car belonging to the secretary.

From my years in the church insurance business much of the time when I'd visit a small-to-medium sized church during the weekday the pastor or office staff were often the only people on campus.  The bad guys know that too and while most churches don't keep much in the way of valuables on site, that lack of campus activity can make them a target.  Churches also try to be open to the needy in the community, and that can make them vulnerable to people who may not always be the most mentally stable.

My heart goes out to the church family at NorthPointe Baptist Church.

UPDATE:  A $10,000 reward has now been offered, and in a glimmer of good news in this whole tragic situation doctors expect Judy Elliott to survive.

UPDATE 2:  A 24-year old suspect has been arrested in the attack.  Robbery appears to be the motive.