The death of a Texas pastor who was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head in his garage Saturday has been ruled a homicide.
Magnus “Mike” Scott Hjalmarson, 53, was believed to have been setting up for a community garage sale at his apartment complex. A neighbor out walking his dog found Hjalmarson’s body, and Emergency Medical Services declared him dead at the scene.
The man known as “Minister Mike” led a CARES ministry, which his garage sale was supposed to have funded. He was well-known in his community as a nice and caring man who didn’t hesitate to help others.
“He was a fantastic guy. He knew no color. You could call him at anytime and he would come to your aid,” resident Brenda Harley told KPRC.
Neighbors said they can’t understand why anyone would have wanted to hurt Hjalmarson.
“The devil is walking around in their skin. It’s just wrong. Mike never hurt anybody,” another neighbor, Deborah Strong, said.
Hjalmarson, who had been a pastor in Flagstaff, Arizona, and after he moved to Texas to be closer to his elderly father, helped out at local Northwood Church.
“I think that every day he was looking for opportunities to love and care for others,” said Northwood Church Assistant Pastor Bradley Wyatt.
