THE treasurer of a local Seventh-day Adventist Church was shot dead Thursday morning, Nov. 6, near the congregation’s location in Julio Pacana St., authorities said.

The victim, identified as church treasurer Benjamin Mendez, was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses reported hearing several gunshots during the incident.

Authorities identified the suspect as SDA Pastor Chosen Gem Avista. Avista reportedly fled the crime scene in a red car but later surrendered to the regional office of the Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-10).

PASTOR ASSAILANT YIELDS. Police Captain Emelita Simon of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) confirms the surrender of Chosen Gem Avista on Thursday morning, Nov. 6. Avista is the suspect in the fatal shooting of the treasurer of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Licoan and is expected to be charged with murder. Photo courtesy of Cocpo

In an afternoon news briefing, Police Captain Emelita Simon, spokesperson for the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), confirmed Mendez succumbed to four gunshot wounds — two in the back and two in his legs.

Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) recovered eight ammunition shells at the site. Simon said the suspect surrendered at the CIDG office around 9:30 am, less than an hour after the shooting.

The spokesperson also said that Avista reportedly bought an unlicensed .45 caliber pistol due to a dispute within their church.

Meanwhile, a report from Magnum Radio quoted the victim’s son, Jediah Mendez, who confirmed his father had received several death threats from the suspect. The victim had also previously filed a case against Avista regarding the threats.

“Natingala ko nganong nakasulod sya nga terminated naman na, naa man silay kaso,” the son said, expressing confusion about how the suspect accessed the church area given his previous termination and the pending case.

Seventh-day Adventist Pastor President Elvin Salarda told reporters the victim was just doing his job as the church treasurer.

“I think there’s nothing personal against the person, ang gihimo sa atong treasurer iya rang gihimo ang mandato sa pagtan aw sa mga financial report ni Gem (suspect) ato syang gitagaan ug memorandum, mga memo nga iyahang i-settle,” Salarda said.

He indicated the treasurer was simply carrying out his duty to review the financial reports of the suspect and issue memorandums for him to settle the issues.

Salarda added they never received a reply from Avista regarding the memorandums sent this earlier this year.

Simon confirmed Avista will by facing a murder charge.