Controversial OKC Pastor Identified As Man Who Shot And Killed Believed Intruder

Oklahoma City police have now confirmed the man who police said shot and killed a believed intruder over the weekend is Tom Vineyard, the controversial pastor at Windsor Hills Baptist Church.

Monday, December 22nd 2014, 6:50 pm

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Controversial OKC Pastor Identified As Man Who Shot And Killed Believed Intruder

Oklahoma City police have now confirmed the man who police said shot and killed a believed intruder over the weekend is Tom Vineyard, the controversial pastor at Windsor Hills Baptist Church.

The pastor's son called 911 around 3:15 Saturday afternoon and told dispatchers someone broke into their home in the 2400 block of Moulton Dive and his father shot them.

“He's a good, kind and decent man,” said Miles Hall, the founder of H&H shooting sports and a friend of Vineyard.

According to the church's web site, Vineyard has been a pastor at Windsor Hills since 2007. The church is known as a staunch supporter of gun rights and has faced criticism for training youth to use firearms.

A warning on Vineyard's front door that reads “Nothing on this property is worth your life” seemed to send a clear message to anyone questioning his conviction.

Police said they are still investigating, but the final decision on if Vineyard will face charges will be up to the District Attorney.

“If somebody is in the residence like that, they feel threatened they or their family feel threatened, they do have the right to defend themselves,” explained Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow, with the Oklahoma City Police Department.

Still, according to Hall, charges or not, this was something that Vineyard is likely struggling with and he has reached out to him to offer prayers and support.

“He'll carry this with him, I'm glad he was able to do what he had to do in order to protect his son in this particular case that we've heard,” said Hall. “But nobody's happy when they have to do this, it's unfortunate that we're forced into these situations.”

News 9's attempts to contact Vineyard and his attorney on Monday were unsuccessful.

Police have not identified the intruder. They only said he was a black male.