A victims rights advocate escorted McDowell's family members out of Fulton County Jail on Thursday. They had hoped to see Palmer in person, but the suspect waived his first court appearance.
"Mr. McDowell was a very loving person, extremely loving, and was a saved, God-fearing Christian man," said Sunshine Lewis of the Fulton County District Attorney's Office.
Family members have surrounded McDowell's wife and two children for comfort. McDowell was not only a member, but worked at the church. Several members of the megachurch said the 39-year-old victim was a strong man of faith, who often arrived early and was last to leave.
The man accused of killing McDowell was also a former church employee. Palmer resigned his post at the south Fulton County church earlier this year.
In a church service streamed over the internet Wednesday night, founder and pastor Creflo Dollar talked about McDowell 's faith.
"We didn't lose a friend, we didn't lose a brother…I know exactly where he is," said Dollar.
Police say Palmer and McDowell knew each other, but investigators have not determined a motive in the shooting yet.
McDowell's family told FOX 5 that they are not ready to comment on the shooting.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:24 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:24:30 GMT
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:10 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:10:38 GMT
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters.
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters during Sunday's downpour.
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:00 PM EDT2013-05-19 18:00:39 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, telling graduates to take the power of their example-- as black men graduating from college-- and use it to improve people's lives.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:53:40 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday, marking the first time a sitting president has made a commencement address in Georgia since 1938. See photos from his visit to Atlanta here!
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:09 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:09:05 GMT
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
FOX 5 News has learned that Reverend Creflo Dollar, the well known pastor of an Atlanta-area mega church, has been arrested on a family violence charge.
FOX 5 News has learned that Reverend Creflo Dollar, the well known pastor of an Atlanta-area mega church, has been arrested on a family violence charge.
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