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Charles Wesco, an American missionary (pictured here with his wife Stephanie) died as a result of a bullet in the head brought on by clashes between armed separatists and soldiers in northwestern Cameroon. (Don Williams via AP)
An American missionary arrived in Cameroon about two weeks ago was shot and killed in what his family calls a "targeted attack" amidst fighting between armed separatists and soldiers.
Charles Trumann Wesco, his wife Stephanie and their eight children had left their home in Warsaw, Indiana, to settle in Bamenda, a large city in northwestern Cameroon, earlier this month. .
Wesco was shot in the head while he was going to town to go shopping on Tuesday. He was taken to the local hospital where he died.
Wesco's brother, Tim Wesco, representative of the state of Indiana, told ABC News that the murder appeared to be a "targeted" attack.
"[It was] most likely he was targeted because he was a white-speaking American Englishman, "he added.
Charles Wesco and his family made the decision to leave the Atlantic permanently after years of missions in Africa and decided to choose Cameroon after a visit in 2015, announced his family.
This undated photo provided by Don Williams shows Charles Wesco, his wife Stephanie and their children. (Don Williams via AP)
Dave Halyman, assistant pastor at the Believers Baptist Church in Warsaw, Indiana, where Stephanie Wesco's father, Don Williams, is the senior pastor, told The Associated Press that the family had raised funds for the relocation. last two years.
They were in Cameroon just 12 days before the shooting.
"We are shocked and distressed by what happened. We are trying to overcome the shock of losing someone as wonderful as Charles, Halyman said. "Even if we do not like it, we understand that God has a great purpose."
Tim Wesco told ABC News that his brother and sister-in-law's move to Cameroon was to "share the love of Christ with people in a very poor and conflict-ridden country" .
He added: "It was their passion, and it was their life – sharing Jesus Christ."
Bamenda is in the northwestern region of Cameroon, the restless English-speaking region where armed separatists fought against the army in an attempt to create an independent state. Former French colony, Cameroon is largely French speaking, with the exception of two provinces where English is the main language.
Tim Wesco said Stephanie and the eight children, free from the fatal attack, are still in Cameroon. The family hopes to get them out now.
"We are very concerned about the safety of the family," he told ABC News.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
