Kaillyn Harris is in police custody after turning herself in for a shooting that resulted in the death of Prichard, Alabama pastor’s wife Grace Carter on December 28.
During an evening Bible study, the group at Everlasting Life Holiness Church heard a loud pop that they initially thought was the crackle of a speaker. After Carter collapsed and emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene, an investigator noticed a bullet hole in the church’s door, and it was discovered that Carter had been killed by a stray bullet. She was 65 years old.
Carter’s killing was the third murder to occur in Prichard between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
Harris turned herself in on Thursday, December 30. As she was being taken into custody, Harris tearfully told reporters, “I’m sorry and I didn’t intend to do this. Anybody who knows me, know I got a good heart. And I ain’t intend to do this. Can y’all please forgive me?”
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Harris, who was on probation for insurance fraud, has been charged with murder and shooting into an occupied building. She has not been granted bond. Further details regarding the incident on the night of December 28 have not been revealed.
“[Grace] would do anything she could for anyone. She’s a kind woman, and I believe she’s gone home to live with the Lord. I miss her. I love her,” said Carter’s husband, Cecil Carter Sr., following the incident. Cecil and Grace had been longtime members of Everlasting Life Holiness Church, and Cecil is set to begin his own pastorate at another church later this month. The couple had been married for 35 years.
Ramona Carter, daughter-in-law to Grace Carter, told WKRG, “The fact that [Harris] turned herself in, and that [her apology] did sound sincere, we did appreciate that. The family appreciates that.”
“I just want to say that she was very cooperative; very remorseful of the situation,” said Prichard Police Chief Walter Knight. “It’s just such a tragic event that happened that altered the lives of two families.”
Ramona Carter also said that the family feels “a little bit better that there was no bond given” to Harris.
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