Charlotte pastor accidentally shot, killed in Union Co. home

(Courtesy of Million Youth March of Charlotte)

UNION COUNTY, NC (WBTV) - The Union County Sheriff's Office says a prominent Charlotte minister was found dead in his Union County Home.

Bishop Phillip Davis, who served as the senior pastor at Nations Ford Community Church, was the victim of an accidental shooting, according to sources.

Around 1:10 p.m. Saturday, deputies responded to Waybridge Way in Weddington after Davis' wife, Cynthia, called 911. She said that she found her husband collapsed at his desk.

She reportedly tried to give her husband CPR at the directions of the 911 dispatcher, but was unsuccessful.

Detectives say there were no signs of foul play, and evidence confirms that it was an accidental death.

Earlier that morning, Davis invited his son to join him for a trip to the firing range, but was unable to join him. Deputies say it appears Davis was in the process of cleaning his pistol when it accidentally fired, fatally hitting him in the chest.

In recent weeks, Davis headed up several community conversations connected to the trial of Randall "Wes" Kerrick.

According to the churches website, Davis celebrated his 36th year of ministry this past week.

Sunday, condolences poured in from people who had worked with the pastor.

"Nothing was beneath him. He would be the first one here fixing chairs and picking up trash. Bishop Davis is a selfless leader. He's changed countless lives. To have to have a service like we're having today is just very unfortunate," said Jacinda Garabito, a spokesperson for Nations Ford Community Church.

John Martin, Founder and CEO of the Young Black Male Leadership Alliance, said he worked with Davis occasionally and considered him a role model.

"As a leader of an organization myself you have to have somebody to look up to, and he's definitely somebody I can look towards and say this is who I want to be like," said Martin.

The founder of Million Youth March Of Charlotte, Mario Black, says he had the opportunity to share the stage with Davis and remembers the pastor telling him every chance he had to say it's "great work you are doing young man."

Black calls Davis' death a "major loss" and asks "all to keep the Nations Ford Community Church lifted in your prayers! He was a genuine man that cared for our city."

Congressman Robert Pittenger also released a statement Sunday in regards to the passing of his friend.

"Bishop Davis had a big heart for God and a great vision for restoring families. He worked hard to demonstrate the love of Christ to those in need and was passionate regarding racial reconciliation." Pittenger said. "Bishop Davis was a close friend for 30 years whom I will dearly miss. May God bless Cynthia and the family in this tragic loss of a wonderful man of God."

Church officials told WBTV that a prayer vigil will be held Monday night at 7:00 at Nations Ford Community Church.