Family: Church deacon shot to death walking out of home

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A man who served as a deacon at his church was shot to death in downtown Decatur Wednesday morning as he walked out of his home. The victim was identified as 52-year-old Gerard Foster, according to Decatur police. 

The shooting happened around 8 a.m. in the 200 block of Robin Street. Family members told FOX 5 that Foster was leaving his home at the Allen Wilson Apartments with his wife, about to take her to work, when he was shot in the head. 

 

Foster was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Family members described Foster as a church deacon and newlywed husband. Loved ones told FOX 5 he was saving money to buy a house for his new wife of about a year and her two children. "I really don't know who would want to hurt him. He used to bring me flowers from church," said Foster's friend Betty Williams.

Decatur police called in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to assist with the investigation. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact authorities.