Local

Police search for man after pastor, wife shot at

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A pastor told Channel 9 he was shot at while he was with his wife and son just feet from a church.

Rev. Johnny McClure said he and his family were on their way home from Christmas shopping when a man pointed a gun at their car, and pulled the trigger.

That gunman is still out there. Channel 9 learned the person police are looking for has connections to four robberies.

The signs of McClure's faith can be seen all around his North Charlotte home. But as a pastor for 16 years, McClure said he never thought he would be tested like he was Tuesday night.

"Violated, yes definitely," he said. "Violated all of us."

They pulled up behind a stopped car on Rockwell Church Road, and a man got out of the passenger seat with a gun.

"And then I heard him yell 'Get out, get out,'" McClure said. "I said to myself after realizing it was an automatic weapon he's holding in his hand, 'I don't think so.'"

Desperate to keep his family alive, he made the split second decision to accelerate, speed off and the man shot at his car.

"Boom! Boom! I didn't know if any of us were hit or if it caused damage," McClure said.

Two bullet holes can be seen on his car. One, just inches from where his wife was sitting in the back seat. Police continue to search for the shooter and McClure said he will turn to his Christian faith to help him and his family move on.

"But I'm in prayer for this young man that he gets some kind of attention where he can get his life back in track," he said.