Family Says Pastor Shot and Killed Own Nephew Outside Church

NEWTON COUNTY – Police have confirmed that a New County pastor is in jail awaiting bond after being charged with murder for his alleged role in a shooting that took place at Belgrade Baptist Church at about 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. Family members say that Luther Jones (pictured above) killed his own nephew outside the church but police did not give more details about the shooting. 

The victim’s sister told a local reporter that 34-year-old Curtis Paul Jones was shot at least three times as he arrived at church.  Many in the community are familiar with both men and are having trouble making sense of the incident. One friend of the family said, “It just don’t make sense. Because they are both good people. For real, they’re both real good people.” 

Family members said that the victim had recently been released from prison and was attending church to get his life back. Although the family acknowledges an ongoing feud between the two men, officials did not release an information as to a possible motive.