Houston Pastor Fatally Shot During Burglary Attempt, Church Mourns Founder

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

HOUSTON, USA (Worthy News) – A Spanish-language evangelical congregation in Houston, Texas, home to one of America’s largest Hispanic communities, is mourning its founding pastor after he was accidentally shot and killed during a reported burglary attempt.

Pedro Cantú, 62, longtime pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Amor y Restauración (“Love and Restoration Christian Church”), was fatally wounded shortly after midnight Saturday when family members responded to a suspected break-in at his home, investigators said.

The Houston Police Department confirmed officers responded to a “burglary-in-progress call” at a residence in the 1200 block of South Kirkwood Road and heard at least one gunshot upon arrival.

Police said Cantú was found suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING

Detectives said a 35-year-old man who lived in the home fired the shot. According to investigators, he was attempting to shoot at a suspected burglar when he accidentally struck Cantú.

The suspected intruder, identified by authorities as 44-year-old Rodney Dushaw Yoder, was arrested and charged with burglary. Officers said he suffered a superficial gunshot wound and was also hospitalized.

It was not immediately clear whether charges would be filed against the relative who fired the fatal shot. Police said the investigation remains ongoing.

CHURCH IN MOURNING

The pastor’s church held memorial and Bible study services in recent days.

“With deep pain, but also with hope in Christ, we press forward as a family of faith,” the congregation said in a statement. “Pastor Pedro Cantú’s sudden departure has touched our hearts, but his legacy of integrity, obedience, and love for the Word lives on in us.”

Church member Israel Paniagua told reporters he was struggling to accept the loss.

“It’s shocking to me because of the type of person he was — a pastor, a leader. I just can’t see anyone hating this man,” he said.

FROM MEXICO TO MINISTRY

According to the church, Cantú and his wife Leticia arrived in Houston from Monterrey, Mexico, in July 1990 with their two young daughters “with nothing but two suitcases and hearts full of faith.” Later that year, their youngest daughter was born.

While working as a machinist, Cantú said he felt called to share the Christian faith. In 1991, he and his wife opened their apartment to two other families for worship and Bible study — a small gathering that eventually grew into a congregation that relocated three times as it expanded its outreach to the Hispanic Christian community.

Church leaders said they intend to continue the mission he began more than three decades ago.

Police said the investigation into the shooting remains active.

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