PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – An African Priest with ties to the Pittsburgh area was gunned down and murdered in Africa.

Father Evaristus Mushi was killed Sunday morning as he was preparing to conduct Sunday Mass at St. Theresian Church in Zanzibar.

The Tanzania Daily News says the shooting took place at the Beit-el-Ras area near the church, and that no one has been arrested for the killing.

The Libyan newspaper, Daily Nation reported via police spokesman Mohammed Mhina that Mushi was “blocked by two young men at the entrance of the church” and “one of the attackers shot him in the head.”

The Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg, Fla., says Father Mushi was a priest for 27 years, and graduated from Duquesne University in the summer of 2001.

Former parishioners say he was in residence at Incarnation Parish on the North Side and provided pastoral care during his stay.

In the statement, the Diocese added, “Please remember Father Mushi, his family and the faithful of Zanzibar in your prayers. Pray also for the protection of our Catholic priests and nuns throughout the world in these very troubling times.”

A mass and burial for Father Mushi will happen Wednesday in Zanzibar.

RELATED LINKS:
St. Petersburg Diocese Statement
Daily Nation Newspaper Story
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