Teen charged with killing mother, wounding pastor father

The 16-year-old son of an Assemblies of God minister in Wellington, Ohio, was charged Monday with murder and attempted murder in the shooting death of his mother and the critical wounding of his father.

Daniel Petric appeared in juvenile court, where he was charged as an adult.

Mark Petric, 45, pastor of New Life Assembly of God, was shot in the face Saturday night and remains hospitalized at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. Sue Petric, 43, was pronounced dead at the family home in Brighton Township, outside Wellington, about 35 miles southwest of Cleveland.

“We believe that Daniel is the sole person responsible for this tragedy,” says Capt. Rich Resendez of the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office. “He has given us some details about what occurred and indicated some of his reasoning.”

A 9 mm gun was found at the scene, Resendez said. Police pulled Daniel Petric over in the family’s minivan shortly after the shooting.

The Petrics’ daughter Heidi Archer and her husband, Andrew, found the couple when they arrived at their home to watch a baseball playoff game on television.

Andrew Archer, 23, gave his father-in-law first aid, while Heidi Archer, 21, called 911, Resendez said.

“The first aid that Andrew applied to Mark possibly did save him,” Resendez says.

A memorial service for Sue Petric will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at Christian Heritage Assembly of God in Avon, Ohio. AG General Superintendent George O. Wood plans to attend.

Those wanting to make a financial contribution to the family’s expenses in memory of Sue Petric may send checks to Fifth Third Bank, 161 E. Herrick Ave., Wellington, Ohio, 44090. “Memorial fund for the Petric family” should be mentioned in the memo line.

“The Petric family has certainly been strengthened by the prayers and support of ministers and churches,” says Ohio District Superintendent Doug Clay. “It is times like these that the value of belonging is most evident. Both Mark’s and Susan’s families are filled with faith and are comforting one another during this difficult time.”

Mark and Sue met at Valley Forge Christian College. Before moving to Wellington, the Petrics were youth and associate pastors at Eastgate Assembly of God at Reynoldsburg, Ohio, for 10 years. They also worked as house parents for troubled teens at the Choice Place Boy’s Home in Ashland.

“Mark and his family were easy to love,” says Hal Stiles, a member of New Life church.