The St. Louis County authorities charged 53-year-old Thomas Bruce with killing a woman and sexually assaulting two other people in the back shop of a religious supplies store.(Photo: St. Louis County Police Department via Twitter)

A man who previously worked as a pastor faces charges of murder, sodomy and kidnapping for allegedly attacking three women in a Catholic supply store in Ballwin, a suburb of St. Louis.

On Wednesday, St. Louis County authorities charged Thomas Bruce – a 53-year-old from Imperial, Missouri – in connection with a deadly attack on Monday in the church supplies store.

Bruce, who had written on social media about his opposition to "gun-free zones," reportedly began the attack by recovering a handgun after making purchases in the store.

He is accused of forcing three women to end up in a back room under the threat of a gun. According to a criminal complaint, he was exposed to himself and ordered those people to "engage in deviant sexual acts".

When one of the women refused to comply, Bruce shot him in the head.

He reportedly ordered the other women to continue the sexual acts and then fled the scene.

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"It seems to me that a guy like this saw an opportunity: three women in the store alone," said St. Louis County Attorney Bob McCulloch. According to McCulloch, Bruce would not have targeted the store for religious reasons.

Jon Belmar, the county police chief, said the crime was "one of the most troubling things I've ever had the opportunity to investigate," he said. Jon Belmar in a statement posted on social media. Wednesday.

Bruce has religious ties in his past.

He founded an evangelical Christian church called Calvary Chapel in 2003. He has also been associated with several other ministries and churches throughout the state.

Bruce worked at Calvary Chapel as a pastor for a few dozen people until 2007, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, citing David Fitzgerald, pastor of an affiliated church in the area.

A survey of Bruce's presence on social media shows that he's publicly voiced against gun control and veterans' issues.

"We should stop waiting for criminals to respect the rules," he wrote last week. I hope we will end the firearms-free zones and warn the criminals that they will be arrested. "

He has often published articles on veterans' issues, including a call for action last week for people who support veterans who plan to commit suicide.

Bruce served in the US Navy in the 1980s.

The arrest of Bruce ended a two-day manhunt. As a result of the attack, schools, churches and businesses closed in the area.

Bruce faces 17 counts, including first degree murder, buggery and attempted sodomy, kidnapping and other crimes. It was not yet clear whether he had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.

He does not have a previous criminal record in Missouri, other than a ticket.

Bruce is imprisoned without bail and could face the death penalty.

Contributor: KSDK-TV, St. Louis, ksdk.com; The Associated Press

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