MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A pastor was shot while trying to stop a car theft at New Zionfield Baptist Church Sunday morning, according to a church member.

Officers responded to the shooting at 1865 Rile Street at 9:13 a.m. Police say the man was located and transported to Regional One Hospital in critical condition.

A member of the church says the pastor, identified as 70-year-old Clemmie Livingston Jr., was shot while attempting to stop two men from stealing a Sunday school teacher’s car.

Police say the suspects fired shots at Livingston as they fled the scene in the 2019 silver Chevrolet Corvette.

A second person, who was outside of the church, reportedly fired shots back at the suspects after Livingston was shot.

The stolen vehicle has not been recovered.

Livingston’s grandson, 17-year-old Kavion Woodin, says he was supposed to preach during service. He says his sermon was going to be titled “Another Chance,” something he says his grandfather often extended to others.

“He was a man of giving, willingness, kindness, compassion, and he was a man that never did wrong towards nobody,” he said.

Woodin says his grandfather was shot in the mouth.

“Somebody tried to take one of the church member’s cars, and my granddaddy stepped up,” said Woodin. “He feared no evil. He came out the church to protect a car because he feared no evil.”

Woodin says his family is pleading with the community to bring an end to senseless gun violence.

“Honestly, I’m sick and tired of losing people to gun violence and cars. I’ve lost seven friends due to gun violence. I’ve lost two friends to cars, and I’m nothing but 17,” said Wooden. “It’s time to stop the violence. It’s time to stop the robbing, stop the killing. It’s time to put the guns down.”

Memphis Police say Livingston is in stable condition at this time.

The suspects were described as two men in hoodies. WREG has also reached out to MPD to see if the suspected shooters in this case targeted any other areas, we are waiting to hear back.