Chesapeake, USA - A Virginia hospital says a Mormon missionary from Utah has died from wounds suffered when he and his companion where shot as they were going door-to-door in Chesapeake.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints identified the two missionaries as 21-year-old Elder Morgan W. Young of Bountiful and Joshua Heidbrink of Greeley, Colorado.
Heidbrink was believed to be 19 and was at the Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he was reported in good condition.
Police say the attacks happened just after six p.m. when a man approached the two men, shot them and ran away.
One of the victims ran to a nearby nursing home seeking help.
The initial police report that the older missionary had died was denied by the hospital, but a spokeswoman says that he died of his wounds early today.
It is not known what prompted the shootings.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following statement:
"Last night, two missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Morgan Young, 21, from Bountiful, Utah, and Elder Joshua Heidbrink, 19, from Greeley, Colorado, were shot in Chesapeake, Virginia. Elder Young was critically injured and passed away during the night. Elder Heidbrink is in satisfactory condition. Police are investigating the matter.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to these young men and their families."
A family friend who worked with Morgan in the scouting program praised the fallen missionary.
“Morgan is a fine young man and we pray for his parents and his family,” said Jack Yoho.
“It was a very enjoyable day when he told us he put his papers in to go on this mission,” Yoho said.