Houston's faith community is grieving after Pastor Pedro Cantu, 62, was fatally shot during a reported home break-in late Saturday night in the Memorial area.
According to the Houston Police Department (HPD), officers responded just after midnight to a 911 call reporting broken glass and a possible burglary at a residence in the 1200 block of South Kirkwood Road near Carriage Hill Drive. As officers arrived at the scene, they heard at least one gunshot from inside the home.
Investigators say Pastor Cantu was accidentally struck by gunfire during a confrontation between a family member and an alleged intruder.
What Police Say Happened
Authorities state that 44-year-old Rodney Dushaw Yoder allegedly shattered the glass of the front door and entered the home. Multiple family members were inside at the time.
As relatives moved toward the entryway after hearing loud noises, a 35-year-old family member who lived at the residence fired a weapon while attempting to defend the home, according to court records.
The gunfire struck both Yoder and Pastor Cantu.
Cantu was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Yoder was also injured but is expected to recover. He has been charged with burglary of a habitation and is scheduled to appear in court.
Authorities have not announced whether the armed family member will face charges. The Harris County District Attorney's Office says the case remains under investigation.
Court documents indicate that other relatives, including a child, hid in a closet during the break-in.
It remains unclear whether the incident was random or targeted.
A Pastor Known for Peace
While the legal process continues, those who knew Pastor Pedro Cantu are remembering a man defined not by tragedy, but by faithfulness.
A native of Mexico, Cantu served for nearly 30 years as pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Amor y Restauración (Love and Restoration Church) in west Houston. After moving to the United States in 1990, he began hosting small gatherings for worship and Bible study that eventually grew into a thriving Latino congregation.
His ministry extended beyond preaching. Over the years, he helped families find housing, employment, food, and support - especially for Spanish-speaking communities navigating hardship.
"My husband loved you all deeply," his wife shared during an emotional prayer service Sunday. "He loved the church deeply. I never heard him speak ill of anyone."
His daughter, Perla Cantu, emphasized that her father did not own a firearm and described him as a peaceful man.
A Community in Mourning
On Sunday, hundreds gathered at Amor y Restauración Church to honor their pastor's life. Worship filled the sanctuary as members prayed, wept, and reflected on decades of leadership that shaped countless families.
Fellow pastor Abraham Guajardo described Cantu as "a pastor to pastors," a leader who carried spiritual authority with humility and conviction.
Houston's Latino Christian community has expressed shock and sorrow at the sudden loss.
For many believers, moments like this bring both grief and prayer - grief over the tragedy, and prayer for comfort, justice, and peace for those left behind.
Holding Onto Hope
As the investigation continues, the focus for many has shifted to supporting Pastor Cantu's wife, daughters, grandchildren, and church family.
In times of unexpected loss, faith communities often lean into the promises that sustained the very leaders they now mourn. Scripture reminds believers that "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted" (Psalm 34:18), a verse many congregants are clinging to this week.
Pastor Pedro Cantu spent decades preaching restoration. Now, the community he helped build stands together, trusting that even in heartbreak, God remains near.
Please join us in praying for strength, comfort, and peace for the Cantu family and the entire Amor y Restauración Church during this difficult time.
