A Salvation Army worker was shot dead in Cleveland, Ohio Saturday as he was preaching the gospel to his killer. The incident was the beginning of a crime spree for the suspect who later stole multiple vehicles and shot a woman.
The Salvation Army worker was Jared Plesec, a 21-year old youth worker and church member of The Salvation Army Temple Corps Community Center in Collinwood. According to witnesses, the suspect killed Plesec as he was sharing the Bible with him.
In a statement, the Salvation Army mourned the passing of the young man, who died while volunteering for Salvation Army work even on his day off. "Jared died as he lived, sharing God's love," said the church. "Jared passed away in full Salvation Army uniform with his Bible in hand leaving home on his day off to volunteer at The Salvation Army's Red Kettle."
"Today we feel great loss that Jared was taken from us too soon," the statement continued. "Yet we rejoice that he is in heaven with the loving Heavenly Father he told so many people about."
Hundreds of individuals, a large chunk being youth, have flocked the Salvation Army center in Collinwood to mourn the death of the Plesec, who touched the lives of so many people.
According to Major Daniel Alverio of the Salvation Army, he would often tell Plesec to be careful in the streets, but the young man would always say that he was not afraid. "He knew what he believed and he was assured that if anything ever happened to him he was going to be alright," said the major.
In connection to Plesec's murder, police have arrested 27-year-old William Jones. After killing the Salvation Army worker, Jones went on a crime spree where he carjacked four vehicles in Cleveland and Lakewood. He also shot a 65-year old woman, who survived.
