Pastor shot and killed, his wife has been charged with murder

 A woman was arrested on suspicion of murder after fatally shooting her husband in the back yard of their Lemon Grove home, authorities said Tuesday.

Dispatchers received a 911 call shortly before 6 p.m. Monday from 26-year-old Gabriela Rose Shepherd who reported that she shot her husband, 29-year-old Noah David Shepherd, at their home on Camino de las Palmas near Calle Norte, just west of state Route 125, said San Diego County sheriff’s Lt. Mike Arens.

The man was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Arens said.

In his Sunday morning service at San Diego Reformed Presbyterian Church, Pastor Shepherd mentioned that he had been extremely sick last week and ended up in the hospital. 

He told congregants, “It’s been a very difficult week for Gaby and I. I’ve been very ill. Praise the lord not COVID – nothing like that. Praise the lord nothing life threatening either.”

Neighbors say they heard two shots around 6 p.m… a short pause… and then at least five more shots. Homicide detectives say deputies responding to the 911 call found Noah bleeding in his backyard. 

“When they arrived, they found an adult male who had been shot behind a residence,” said Lt. Thomas Seiver with the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit. “The deputies attempted life saving measures until relieved by fire personnel. The male was transported to a local area hospital, but unfortunately he was pronounced deceased shortly after arriving.”

Kyle Borg with the Reformed Presbyterian Global Alliance confirms Pastor Noah Shepherd was ordained in November. 

In a statement to News 8, Borg said, “Noah was a man of character and positive energy. The church is just processing the news and the congregation is reeling. The day has been spent just processing what happened and at this point, it is too early to talk about a memorial.”

Sources tell News 8 the shots were fired through a screen door outside a bedroom. It’s not clear why Noah, who had just arrived home, was entering the house through the back, but Gaby apparently told authorities she thought he was an intruder.  Also inside the house – the couple’s two young children who were not injured. 

Gaby is being held without bail at Las Colinas. She’s scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon.

The victim’s family has been notified of his death.