Police: Eldred Threatened Pastor, Parishoners
According to the affidavit of probable cause, 52-year-old Gregory Eldred left the church after shooting 53-year-old Darlene Sitler, then went back in through another door. Dr. Beverly Prince heard him say he wanted to see (Sitler) and she begged him not to go toward her. He said if she didn’t let him pass he would have to shoot her, too. Prince’s husband Leslie Rolfe also tried to stop Eldred from going back to the front of the church, and Eldred threatened to shoot him, according to the affidavit.
Pastor Evon Lloyd was next to Sitler when Eldred came back into the church. She tried to keep him away, when he threatened to shoot her.
At the scene, police found a .40 caliber handgun, four 40 caliber spent casings and three discharged rounds. One round was found in the back of a wooden pew near the rear of the church. One round was found on a pillow under Sitler's head. One round was found in the cushion of a chair on the church altar.
The affidavit says Eldred asked to speak with his sister. Police place the phone on speaker while he was talking to her and he told her he shot Sitler.
Besides first-degree murder, Eldred is also charged with third-degree murder, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and terroristic threats. He is in jail without bail. First-degree murder is a non-bailable offense in Pennsylvania. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Thursday in front of District Judge Annette Easton.
Comments