This past weekend, a former pastor of Near Calvary Baptist church in North Carolina, Michael Mullis, who retired from the church in 2011, was approached in his home by Rowan County deputies to serve warrants on him for child sexual abuse.
Mullis went inside to get his shoes, and while inside, shot himself to death with a pistol. Concord Police spokesperson Maj. Gary Hatley reported that the victim and pastor knew each other and had a relationship, and also reported that there was no indication of any other victims.
The abuse, according to the victim, ended in 2004, seven years before the pastor retired in 2011. By the time of his retirement, the pastor of Near Calvary Baptist had been serving for 20 years. The pastor’s wife was reportedly home at the time of the shooting.
The abused victim, female, came forward about the alleged abuse two years ago. She was surprised to hear about the death of Mullis. Mullis knew before hand that the case was being investigated but did not take suicidal action until the deputies arrived at his house. The case has been worked on for two years and is now reported as closed. Near Calvary Baptist has since then changed its name.