A tragic shooting has shaken the Elba, Alabama community just days before Christmas. Pastor Da’Quarius Green of Elba Zion Missionary Baptist Church was fatally shot by an unnamed woman.
The loss of a church leader so close to the holiday season has added to the pain felt by family members, church members, and residents of the town.
According to authorities, the woman shot Pastor Green dead but she is yet to be charged.
Law enforcement officials have also stated that Pastor Green had previously faced several domestic violence charges. These charges were part of his legal history and had been known to authorities before his death. Officials have not said whether those past cases were directly connected to the shooting. The investigation is still ongoing.
Pastor Green of Elba Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Alabama, US, died on Saturday after sustaining what Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum called critical wounds at a Level Plains home on December 23. Bynum confirmed his death, as did the church’s Facebook page.
The church wrote: “With heavy hearts yet unwavering faith, we share that our beloved Pastor Da’Quarius Green has transitioned from this earthly life into eternal rest.”
The woman who shot Green has not been publicly identified and has not been charged. According to US outlet WSFA, this can indicate that authorities believe the shooting may have been justified. Cases involving a potential self-defence claim are typically referred to the district attorney, who decides whether to present evidence to a grand jury.
Could it be that the woman acted in self defense looking at the domestic violence history of the pastor?
Green, 31, faced three misdemeanor counts of domestic violence last year, though all three were dismissed after the alleged victim refused to testify, according to court records. In a protection order filing, a woman alleged Green, with whom she has children, repeatedly struck her, once when she was pregnant.
Court records do not indicate if the victim was the same in all cases or if that woman is the person who shot Green.
Despite the abuse allegations faced by their pastor, Elba Zion Missionary members posted messages of support and remembrance on the church’s Facebook page.
One post read: “We are going to miss him. Loved him very much. Celebrating his homecoming and praying for his family and friends.”
This case also raises broader concerns about domestic violence and accountability. When warning signs exist, they often point to deeper issues that can escalate if left unresolved.
As the community mourns, there is a shared sense of sadness and reflection. A life was lost, and a family, a church, and a town are left to cope with the aftermath. RIP, Da’Quarius Green!
