Keith E. Melton attempted to rescue Frederick H. Winters from assault, Maryville, Illinois, March 8, 2009. During a morning service being attended by about 100, Winters, 45, was preaching in the church where he was pastor when a man entered the sanctuary, proceeded down the center aisle, and stood in front of him. The man produced a semiautomatic pistol and shot at Winters but missed. As Winters moved along the platform, the assailant pursued him, firing twice more. Melton, 51, programmer analyst who was in the congregation, left his seat and ran to Winters and the assailant, who were struggling on the sanctuary floor. He reached them as the assailant fired again, striking Winters and mortally wounding him. Melton grasped the assailant and struggled against him, the assailant producing a knife that he used to stab Melton in the chest. Melton was sent to the floor but regained his footing and charged the assailant, as did other congregants, one of whom was stabbed repeatedly. They took the assailant to the floor and subdued him until police arrived and arrested him. Melton and the other congregant who was stabbed required hospital treatment for their wounds, and they recovered.
82049 – 9362
82049-9362