HILMAR — A beloved local pastor died Saturday following a seven-hour armed standoff with law enforcement at a Hilmar residence, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the 6400 block of Columbus Avenue around 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 2 for a welfare check after family members reported hearing a gunshot from a separate home on the property. Upon arrival, deputies found the front door open and a box of ammunition on the porch. Inside, they located Jeff Souza laying down and making suicidal statements and later was seen pacing inside the home while armed with a rifle and handgun.

“Despite repeated requests, the subject refused to disarm and exit the residence,” the sheriff’s office stated in a news release.

SWAT negotiators attempted verbal contact, but Souza threw his phone outside and remained unresponsive. Over the next several hours, deputies used a public address system to communicate. Around 9:30 a.m., two gunshots were heard from inside the home, one of which penetrated a wall. No injuries were reported at that time.

A remote camera was deployed to conduct a welfare check, but Souza fired at the device and later shot at deputies, striking an armored vehicle. No deputies were injured.

Due to the escalating threat, deputies deployed tear gas into the residence. After continued attempts at negotiation, the camera was redeployed and Souza was found on the ground with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to a trauma center and later died from his injury.

Souza served as pastor of Hilmar First Baptist Church and was a member of the Central Valley Baptist Association. In a video posted to the Association’s Facebook page, spokesman Scott Bird addressed the tragedy and Souza’s recent health struggles.

“Jeff has been suffering from a debilitating neck injury for years, just excruciating pain, with grace and poise,” Bird said. “In some way that we will probably never understand this side of heaven, Jeff's condition and the medication conspired in a moment of weakness to induce something akin to a psychotic episode. He just wasn't himself.”

Bird also defended Souza’s legacy and urged compassion.

“He had four good quarters of play, maybe he fumbled the ball at the last two yards. Doesn't mean he fell short. He made a mistake. We are all prone to do that,” Bird said.

Bird confirmed that Souza died at the scene. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

The incident remains under investigation.