One Ghanaian Pastor based in the United States, Sylvester Ofori from the Floodgates of Heaven International Ministries threatened to kill his wife in a now-viral video and later on went on ahead to live up to his promise after he told his late wife’s brother that he would kill her.
“We are all devastated. I have no words. I’m just devastated,” a representative of the church told The Christian Post on Thursday morning.
The representative said while their church has not been meeting for in-person services during the coronavirus pandemic, she “didn’t see any signs there was trouble” in their pastor’s marriage.
“I’m at a loss for words right now. I can’t even think about it,” she said, remembering the pastor’s wife as “a very beautiful person, inside and out.”
Pastor Sylvester Ofori, 35, shot and killed his wife, Barbara Tommey, 27 outside her workplace at the Navy Federal Credit Union on the 4600 block of Gardens Park Boulevard just before 9:00 a.m on September 8, 2020, just two days before their fifth wedding anniversary last Tuesday in Florida.
Tommey was pronounced dead at Orlando Regional Medical Center shortly after she was rushed there for medical attention.
A witness identified only as Lisa narrated how she saw the whole incident unfold right before her eyes because she was waiting outside before the bank opened.
According to the aforementioned witness, the late Barbara went outside to move her car before she was shot by her husband.
“The next thing I knew, he raised his hand with the gun in it, and he shot her, Lisa told newsmen, “the guy was walking behind her. I don’t know if she knew he was there or not. I started running and as I’m running, I hear three or four more shots.”
“She was always very nice when I came into the bank. She’s very nice, very nice.” Lisa continued, “You can tell she was surprised by what was happening. I’m shaken up right now, I’m still shaken up,”
The Navy Federal Credit Union whose premises the incident happened released a statement saying:
“This morning, a team member was fatally injured during an act of violence outside our Millenia branch, by a man she knew, according to the police.
Our thoughts are with our team member’s family. Our number one priority is keeping both our members and team members safe. We will ensure all team members at the branch are provided with the support they need during this time. Any further information can be provided by the Orlando Police Department”
Sylvester Ofori shot his wife, Barbara Tommey 7 times.
Ofori, 35, was taken into custody at his apartment Tuesday evening, the OPD spokesperson said. He is being held at the Orange County Jail without bond on a charge of first-degree murder with a firearm.
During a press conference, Chief Orlando Rolón said the shooting was captured on CCTV. “you can tell that she’s trying to get inside. Unfortunately, he shoots her outside of the establishment.” he said.
BREAKING NEWS: Police are working a shooting outside the Navy Federal Credit Union on Gardens Park Boulevard. A suspect shot a female who was known to him. Investigators are on scene. pic.twitter.com/u5nLh5f2pA
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) September 8, 2020
UPDATE: Detectives have arrested Sylvester Ofori, 35, in the murder of his 27-year-old wife on September 8. She was shot outside the Navy Federal Credit Union branch where she worked. pic.twitter.com/F1u4GsrjKH
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) September 9, 2020
In a court appearance on Wednesday, prosecutors told a judge that Tommey’s killing was caught on surveillance video.
“Video surveillance, which shows Mr. Ofori not only shoot his wife but then stands over her body and put additional rounds into her head,” a prosecutor noted in court, according to NBC News affiliate WESH 2.
A day before the shooting, Ofori also posted a cryptic message on Facebook about the “extreme” side of “loving people.”
“One thing ppl gotta understand about extremely kind, nice, loving people is that their other side is just as EXTREME,” he wrote.
Prior to Sylvester Ofori shooting his wife, he made a promise to Barbara’s brother saying that he will kill his sister, “If I won’t kill your sister, I am a fake [pastor]” he said while grabbing on his brother-in-law’s neck.
Here are the viral videos of Tommey’s brother confronting Sylvester about putting hands on his sister.
😡😡😡 pic.twitter.com/Z7Zkbd0gQU
— Deborah (@debb_45) September 12, 2020
Looks like the brother did put hands on him the video you watched first shows the end of the story… https://t.co/UPWZarB4ry pic.twitter.com/8e9YXZOjLB
— DaGman (@DaGman84) September 12, 2020
