Escambia County pastor shot at church

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - A Pensacola pastor was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday night after he was shot by a member of his church.

A deacon said West Pensacola Baptist is trying to get back to normal, but one key member is missing, the pastor.

Around 6 p.m. Wednesday, sheriff's deputies said Pastor Laddie Pierce was in the parking lot talking with 72-year-old Randall Markham when Markham pulled out a gun.

Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy Matt Baxter said, "There was an argument between the two, and then a single shot was fired."

Pierce was shot in the right leg. Markham was soon arrested, and Pierce is being treated at Baptist Hospital.

A deacon at the church said Markham is a member of their congregation, and he's mentally-ill.

FOX10 went to Markham's house in Pensacola.

A man claiming to be his brother said the family has no comment. But a neighbor said Markham is a good man.

"He's always been a perfect neighbor, you might say,” said the neighbor. “(He’s) not a bad person. He needs help. If he done this, he needs some help."

Deputies said Markham has been charged with aggravated battery, a felony punishable by up to 10 years behind bars.

A deacon told FOX10 News that Pierce is still recovering and could be in the hospital for a few days.

Markham is now out on $15,000 bond.