Norwich church leaders Chantel and Jon Norman have been left stunned after news that Chantel’s father was killed on Thursday night (February 1) in a shooting in downtown Los Angeles, California.
Chantel, who leads Soul Church in Norwich with husband Jon, comes from Los Angeles and the couple are still waiting for more news of what happened to her father Joey Cruz.
There has been an online outpouring of support and prayers for the couple and their young children Miracle Joy and Justice Murray, after Jon posted a picture and message on Twitter and Facebook.
Jon wrote: “Please keep my dear wife and her family in your prayers right now. Last night in downtown LA, her dad Joey was shot dead in a cowardly attack. Thank you.”
Jon told Network Norfolk that the family were extremely grateful for the outpouring of support, which numbers hundreds of Facebook messages.
He said: “All we know at the moment is that he was in a park when a car went past and he was shot in a drive-by shooting. We are going to fly out there on Monday because we still don’t have the full details of what happened.”
Chantel posted a picture of her father on Instagram and wrote: “Last year I reconnected with my real dad and it was the most amazing experience and God truly brought healing.
“Last night in Los Angeles my dad Joe Cruz was shot in the chest by a senseless and cowardly act of gun violence. This morning my dad passed away and my heart is broken. Please pray for my Cruz family.”
A church member at Soul said: “We are all really shocked and are praying for peace and strength for the family.”
A visit from the Watoto Children’s Choir and Vision Sunday services at Soul Church this weekend are still planned to go ahead while the couple wait for more news.
Pictured above, Chantel Norman with her father Joey Cruz.
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