A much-loved Christian pastor and his wife have been shot dead in Alabama in the US.

Their adopted son has been charged with murder.

Priceville police officers were called to the home of Pastor William Jeremy Hulsey, 43, of Aldridge Grove Church of Christ, and his Sandra, 37.

They found the couple had been shot dead and they also found the murder weapon, a 9mm handgun, according to Al.com.

Hulsey and his wife were shot many times and their adopted son, Andrew, was quickly identified as a "person of interest" and then charged with capital murder. He is being held at Morgan County Jail.

A neighbour, Freddie Lawrence, told WAAY-TV: "I don't know hardly how to explain how I'm feeling. We were quite surprised. I guess we're still trying to deal with the shock of hearing such tragedy happening to people that you know."

He added: "It's times like these that the community needs to come together and let the community know that they're being loved."

According to a friend of the family, the couple fostered Andrew when he was about 5 or 6 years old and then adopted him. They were unable to have children of their own.

The Midway Church of Christ said in a statement: "The tragic loss of Jeremy and Sandra Hulsey is on our hearts and minds this morning. Jeremy was the preacher for the Aldridge Grove Church. He had also preached at Dancy's Chapel and was an amazing man who was not afraid to stand for the cause of Christ. He and his wife have been such humble servants for the Lord. Please remember their family and the church in your prayers."