Lansdale Man Pleads Not Guilty In Church Killing

NORTH WALES, PA -- The man accused of shooting and killing another man at a North Wales church in April has pleaded not guilty, according to court documents.

Mark T. Storms, 46, allegedly shot and killed Robert Braxton, 27, of North Wales, after an argument during a service at Keystone Fellowship Church, DA Kevin Steele said.

Storms is charged with voluntary manslaughter, according to the DA.

Braxton reportedly became disruptive during the service, and Storms, who has no official position with the church, accosted him. He showed a concealed weapons permit and the gun, and told Braxton to leave the church, the DA said.

Authorities said that's when Braxton hit Storm in the face. And then Storm fired two shots at Braxton.

Initially, authorities reported that a man involved in the altercation was cooperating with police but that he was not in custody.

The incident was reported at 11:24 a.m. The service began at 11 a.m.

 According to more than 50 witness interviews, Braxton was "agitated" and "verbally disruptive" when he arrived at the church at 11 a.m., the DA's office said.