“I forgive him.” Son-in-law of local pastor who was shot trying to stop crime outside of church shares story

AMBRIDGE, Pa. — A man is out of the hospital after being shot in Ambridge Sunday afternoon, and the person suspected of shooting him is now in custody.

Pastor Rick Thornhill of New Hope Community Church said he and his son-in-law, Trewon Marshall, noticed multiple people trying to break into a car in the church’s parking lot around 2 p.m.

Thornhill told Channel 11 he called 911 and they chased after the two people for about three blocks.

When they turned into an alleyway, Thornhill said Marshall confronted them. That’s when the pastor said one of the suspects shot his son-in-law in the neck.

Officers later arrested Michael Tucker, 15, and charged him with criminal attempted homicide.

Tucker will be tried as an adult, according to police documents.

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“I forgive him. I’m not angry. Yes, the situation happened. Yes, I’m the one with this thing on my neck and a bullet in my back, but I’m not angry. I forgive him,” Marshall said.

Marshall is out of the hospital, but the bullet is still lodged in his neck.

“I don’t understand why I’m here. Like you don’t get shot in your face, it goes to your neck, misses every single thing, all your main arteries, all of that and still be here today. Amazing to me,” Marshall told Channel 11.

Investigators said an Ambridge police officer who showed up after the shooting fired his weapon, but he did not hit either suspect. That officer was placed on administrative leave, per protocol.

State police have taken over the case and are still looking for the second person involved. Meanwhile, Tucker is awaiting a hearing at the end of October.

Loved ones of Marshall started a GoFundMe to pay for hospital expenses. You can view that here.

Pastor, son-in-law shot at while trying to stop people from breaking into car in Ambridge

Cox Media Group