Security guard shot to death at church

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DETROIT, May 10 (UPI) -- An 84-year-old Detroit church security guard was fatally shot while at his post, officials said.

Joseph Lewis was shot and killed Wednesday night as he watched over Victory Way Assembly Church of God and Christ while about 15 members of the church attended bible study, the Detroit Free Press reported.

"We were in Bible study and a young man ran into the church and said, 'Your guard was shot,'" Deacon Jimmy Jones said. "They don't have no regard whether it's a church, a party store or your house. They don't have any regard. They don't have that type of fear anymore."

Police said two men approached the church parking lot around 8:45 p.m. Wednesday and confronted Lewis. A struggle ensued and one of the two suspects fatally shot Lewis.

Jones said Lewis was armed, but his gun was still in his holster when police arrived.

"It's pathetic," Jones said. "I don't know if he was trying to rob him or what. For them to just come up and do that, it's pathetic."

The church hired the security guard three years ago after parishioners raised safety concerns, Jones said.

Church members will decide whether put a fence around the lot or install cameras, he said.