A prayer vigil for a couple who died outside of an Austin church on July 31 in what police say was an apparent murder-suicide is scheduled for today, Aug. 3, at 7 p.m.
The vigil, hosted by Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin (1st), Rev. Ira Acree and other Chicago clergy members, will take place on the site of the murder at Second Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 5729 W. Chicago Ave.
Police suspect that Roshaun D. Wilson, 38, fatally shot Trinyce L. Sanders-Wilson, 36, before shooting himself after a Sunday afternoon service at the West Side church. The shooting, police say, may have happened around 2:05 p.m. The couple was pronounced dead on the scene.
The Chicago Tribune reported at the time that “the woman’s body lay on the ground, her feet showing from underneath the blanket that covered her. Next to her was a silver car with blood smeared on its backend, and a gun was on a sidewalk nearby.”
According to the church’s pastor, Rev. Kenneth Giles, the shooting happened not long after the service ended at 1:30 p.m. He added that the couple may have been estranged and that “there was probably some things going on between the two of them.”
Giles said both families of the married couple were longtime members of his church. The victim, he said, sang in the young adult choir and often served food at the church.
“This heartbreaking tragedy underscores the need for additional mental health funding and resources to address and treat widespread trauma in poor communities of color,” said Boykin.
“The killings that took place at Second Mt. Olive Church on Sunday were unfathomable and unspeakable acts,” said Acree. “The sanctity and sanctuary of the church were grossly violated. I am calling on all pastors, politicians, mental health workers, community leaders and concerned citizens to come out tonight to support this family and church community.”
