Police ID alleged shooter in Mormon church killing

VISALIA, Calif. (AP) — A man who was killed in a shootout with police after allegedly gunning down a Mormon lay bishop in Central California was identified Monday by police.

Kenneth James Ward, 40, of Modesto walked into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Visalia between Sunday services and asked for the leader of the congregation, police said.

He was directed to victim Clay Sannar, 40, who was doing administrative paperwork.

Ward later called police to say he was the shooter and let them know where they could find him, Visalia police Chief Colleen Mestas said.

Arriving officers confronted Ward and exchanged gunfire, police said. Ward was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at a hospital.

No police officers were injured.

Ward was not a member of the church and did not seem to know Sannar, church official Ralph Jordan said.

Police have not yet determined a motive.