Pastor speaks out after church shooting

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A day after he says his grandson shot at him inside his church , an Indianapolis pastor is speaking out.

The grandson of Damon Roach, pastor of First Christian Missionary Baptist Church on East 38th Street, was arrested Thursday after allegedly firing shots at his grandfather inside the church.

The suspect, Calvin Griffin, 19, was taken into custody Thursday after holing up in the church for four hours, with SWAT officers keeping watch outside.

The suspect’s grandfather and victim Pastor Damon Roach said his grandson is troubled and needs help. He told police Griffin fired two shots at him from close range a day after Roach accused him of stealing from the church.

“I had no idea under my wildest imagination that he had anything on his mind about taking my life,” Roach said. “That was a complete surprise. I am asking God to continue to work with me because I have not worked through it yet.”

Roach said he has forgiven his grandson.

Griffin faces preliminary charges of criminal recklessness and possession of a handgun without a license.