A pastor in Hartford, Connecticut, is reportedly in critical condition after he was shot several times Sunday while decorating his church’s lawn with Memorial Day flags.
Rev. Dr. Augustus Sealy, 54, was shot multiple times outside the First Church of the Nazarene at 932 Capitol Ave. about 6:30 a.m. Sunday. According to church official Elton Adams, Mr. Sealy was outside the church placing flags from different countries in the yard as part of an annual Memorial Day tradition, a local NBC affiliate reported.
Witnesses told police they heard five gunshots as a black car heading west on Capitol Avenue passed Mr. Sealy. Seven shells were found at the scene, NBC reported.
The reverend, who also a licensed psychologist, was transported to St. Francis Hospital with two gunshot wounds to the right leg and one to the left shoulder.
Mr. Sealy’s wife, Sharon, said he was in a lot of pain but expected to recover.
“He hasn’t lost any hope,” she told NBC. “You know, this is something that happened that was really terrible and shouldn’t have happened and we’ve already prayed for that person who actually committed the crime.”
A second shooting occurred just minutes later about 2½ miles away on Mather Street, where a male victim was shot at least six times at about 6:41 a.m. He is in serious but stable condition after multiple gunshot wounds to the torso and arms, NBC reported.
The Major Crimes Division is investigating both shootings. No arrests have yet been made, NBC reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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