San Diego

Arrest Made After Pastor Found Shot Multiple Times in Boulevard, California

The homicide investigation into the shooting death of a pastor in Boulevard, California has a local community reeling.

San Diego County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Paul David Carr, 61, Monday in connection with the shooting death of Craig Hodson, a pastor at Grace Baptist Church of Jacumba.

Hodson was found shot multiple times Sunday at approximately 7:22 p.m. on the 36500 block of Old Highway 80. The location is approximately 58 miles east of San Diego, just south of Interstate 8.

When deputies arrived, they found Hodson, 55, lying on the ground in front of a garage. He had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his torso, deputies said.

Despite first aid, Hodson succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on scene.

Family and friends told NBC 7, Hodson is a father of 11 children and has several grandchildren. He had been a local propane driver before he turned to ministry full-time, friends said.

On Monday, the Grace Baptist Church was empty and locked as many in the community mourn the pastor's sudden death.

"It's definitely left a hole and I think everybody is in the shock mode obviously," said Tim Burnett, a friend of Honson. "It's going to take some time to process all of this."

Sharon Ivy, who attended Grace Baptist Church, said she worries about his family, which includes his wife, children and granchildren.

But Burnett told NBC 7 that the community is there to support them.

"Our prayers are out to him and his family, whatever we can do, we're there for the family," he said.

Sheriff's officials said Carr and the victim both lived on the property where the incident occurred.

Carr will be booked into jail on a single count of murder, officials said.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's office will perform an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

No other information was immediately available.

The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321, or after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

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