KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A former church maintenance worker now faces charges of aggravated assault with intent to kill after a shootout with his boss on Tuesday morning.
Deputies said Living Water Fellowship Church Pastor Terry Howell was meeting with maintenance worker Benjamin Parangan, 47, to fire him on Tuesday morning when a shootout erupted between the two.
During the meeting, church employees told deputies they saw Parangan take out a handgun and shoot at Howell several times, but none of the bullets hit Howell.
Deputies said Howell returned fire with his own weapon and hit Parangan.
They said the shooting is being investigated as a case of self-defense.
Parangan was taken to Osceola Regional Medical Center, where he's listed in stable condition.
As word of the shooting spread on social media, many people asked for prayers for the pastor. Others asked for prayers for everyone involved.
Still, others asked why either man needed to bring a gun to their meeting.
Even though both men had concealed weapons permits, Parangan's neighbors say it was very uncharacteristic of him to not only carry a gun, but to shoot someone.
"To me, he honestly doesn't look like he could shoot somebody," said neighbor Joshua Daise. "That's why I think he missed. Because he doesn't have the art. He's a really good guy. And to be honest, it's shocking to know that this happened."
Daise's comments came as Osceola County sheriff's deputies searched Parangan's home for any clues as to what may have led up to the shooting.
Living Water Fellowship church leaders turned to Facebook on Tuesday night to cancel the church's New Year's Eve party due to the shooting.
"Due to today's incident, our New Year's Eve service has been canceled," read the message. "Please continue to keep everyone in prayer."