Man accused of killing wife outside church found dead at motel
CYPRESS, Texas -- The man accused of fatally shooting his estranged wife and injuring his daughter outside a Cypress, Texas church has been found dead, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
SWAT officers surrounded an Extended Stay America hotel on West Sam Houston Parkway near Westheimer for hours. After negotiations ended, they entered a fourth-floor hotel room, where officers found 62-year-old Arthur Edigin dead in the bathroom.
Deputies arrived at the hotel on a tip that Edigin had checked in. They said he was considered armed and dangerous.
Some hotel guests were evacuated during the standoff. No one else was injured.
According to deputies, Edigin opened fire outside the Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church on Huffmeister just after 7 p.m. Thursday, killing his wife. His daughter was also shot but survived the shooting. A child who was in the car at the time was unhurt, sources say.
Sources with the Harris County Sheriff's Office tell us he threatened his wife before, with one incident happening as recently as January 6.
VIDEO: Witnesses recall shooting at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Cypress
A woman told said her husband and three kids were on lockdown during the shooting.
Pam Ledesma said her husband told her they were in a gym closet praying the rosary during the frightening incident.
"It's just crazy to see that stuff like happens, number one at a church, and I know we live in Houston, but at the same time, I mean, I don't know what kind of person would do that at a church when people are just trying to pray at night," Ledesma said.
The Archdiocese released the following statement on the shooting:
"Our prayers are with the victims and families affected by the tragic shooting this evening at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church. Officials with the Archdiocese and the parish community are cooperating with local authorities in their investigation."
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church shared a message on its Facebook page overnight writing that they will hold regularly scheduled mass Friday at 9 a.m. and the offices will be open. The Catholic school and Genesis Early Childhood Program are canceled for Friday. Parents are still welcome to bring children as usual, but they said it will not be an official school.
"We are saddened that such violence has visited our campus. Though it appears to be an isolated incident of a domestic dispute, the tragic assault on the two women and the dignity of human life is heartbreaking. Please join us in prayer for the families of the victims. We pray as well for the police who are investigating and are grateful for their service. We join with all others in praying that the shooter may be apprehended in due haste and that healing may begin for all impacted. May God bless us all."
