U.S. pastor abducted in South Africa rescued in shootout, authorities say

Josh Sullivan, a U.S. pastor abducted astatine gunpoint portion delivering a sermon successful his religion successful South Africa Thursday evening has been rescued successful a shootout that near 3 suspected dead, authorities say.

According to a connection issued by the "Hawks" — a specialized constabulary portion that investigates superior crimes — Sullivan, 45, was abducted astatine the Fellowship Baptist Church successful Motherwell Township extracurricular the coastal metropolis of Gqeberha and was being held successful a safehouse successful that city.

The Hawks accidental galore constabulary agencies acting connected tips went to the location and they saw a vehicle. Suspects successful the conveyance tried to flee, opening occurrence connected the officers arsenic they did and "the officers responded with tactical precision, starring to a high-intensity shootout" successful which the 3 suspects were killed.

Sullivan was recovered successful the conveyance "miraculously unharmed," the connection says, adding that helium was "immediately assessed by aesculapian unit and is presently successful an fantabulous condition."

In:
• South Africa