James Tripp Battle, known as Tripp, was 31 and serving as senior pastor at Bayshore Baptist Church in Bradenton, Florida when he was fatally shot at the church on December 4, 2014. His death was one of three killings that day; Amber Avalos, the church’s nursery and children’s director, and Denise Potter, a neighbor and friend of the Avalos family, were also killed.

Andres Andy Avalos Jr. was identified as the primary suspect. Authorities say Avalos killed his wife and Denise Potter at their home before driving to Bayshore Baptist Church and shooting Pastor Battle. Reported motives included Avalos’s belief that his wife was having an affair with the pastor, and prosecutors later argued jealousy and substance abuse played roles. The case drew intense attention from the community and other local churches.