A tragic incident has shaken the Mobile, Alabama, community, where beloved pastor Robert Matthews of Joy Tabernacle Full Gospel Church was fatally shot by his daughter on October 20. His wife, Twinetta Matthews, was also shot during the attack but is expected to survive.

Charity Aleis Matthews, 36, the couple’s daughter, was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, and reckless endangerment. Authorities are investigating mental health concerns that may have played a role in the shooting.

Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood indicated that the legal process to assess Charity’s mental competency has begun, noting, “We’ve already started the process of having her mentally evaluated to make sure that she is competent to face these charges and then her competency at the time of the offense will be evaluated later.”

Blackwood added that his office is seeking to upgrade the charges to capital murder, which could make Charity eligible for the death penalty. He expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “Going and doing this to family members and people that she knew. It’s a very terrible thing. We’re going to hold her accountable for that.”

The police say that after the shooting, Charity Matthews fled the scene with her two young children. Court documents revealed that this was not an isolated incident, as Charity had allegedly fired shots at her brother’s car the day before, and later that day, she reportedly shot the father of one of her children. Charity was eventually arrested at a hotel in Mobile shortly after the shooting.

Despite the devastating events, the family remains in prayer. Shavon Buchanan, a close family friend, told Fox 10 that the pastor’s wife is recovering in the hospital and is expected to survive. She shared her grief, saying, “It’s something that you would never expect. It’s almost like living in a nightmare only because they are such a great family.”

Buchanan expressed her deep sorrow but also offered prayers for Charity, whom she remembered as a loving person. “I love her and I’m praying for her as well,” Buchanan said. “I know she’s seen a lot, been through a lot, just from personal conversations that I will not share.”

Pastor Matthews was widely respected in his community and known for his leadership, his faith, and his devotion to his family. His teachings often reflected his deep trust in God, even through trials. Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pastor Matthews shared a message on the church’s Facebook page that still resonates with many today.

“Sometimes, God may refrain from showing His power to heal, set free, and deliver in order to bring us to a higher level of faith and trust in Him as He did with Job,” he said, reflecting on the biblical story of suffering and faith. His message emphasized trusting God, even in the darkest moments when His presence might feel distant.

In the aftermath of this heartbreaking tragedy, the community of Joy Tabernacle Full Gospel Church is left mourning the loss of their pastor while clinging to the faith he embodied so strongly. As the investigation continues, the Matthews family remains in the thoughts and prayers of many, both for healing and for justice.