Church Leader Shot in Apparent Home Invasion. Then, His Wife Texted ‘We Need Prayers Immediately’ to Their Family

The president of a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was shot during what appears to have been a home invasion.

R. Tyler Wallis, 56, was shot by an intruder in his home during what church officials described as an attempted robbery in Mexico City on Saturday, Aug. 16. The incident happened around 2 a.m. local time, according to a statement from church spokesperson Sam Penrod.

Wallis was taken to a local hospital and is now in stable condition, the statement said. His wife, Elizabeth Wallis, was at home at the time but was not hurt.

“The Church is cooperating with local authorities as they investigate the incident. All missionaries are safe,” the statement added.

“Our prayers are with President and Sister Wallis, their family members and the missionaries during this challenging time. The Church is grateful for the thousands of missionaries and their leaders serving as volunteers throughout the world to extend the love and peace that the Savior Jesus Christ offers to each of us,” the statement concluded.

Avenida Francisco I. Madero, often called Madero Street, is a historic pedestrian street in Mexico City’s historic center.

Elizabeth’s brother, Kevin Thorstenson, shared on Facebook a text he said he received from his sister after the shooting.

“We need prayers immediately. We’ve had a robber break in our house and Tyler has been shot,” Elizabeth wrote, according to his post.

A family friend posted an update on Facebook later that day, saying that Tyler had been shot “just below the sternum,” but the bullet “did not hit any organs or arteries.”

“An undeniable miracle that he is not dead,” she added.

PEOPLE contacted the Mexico City Police Department and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for comment on Sunday, Aug. 17, but did not get immediate responses.

The couple, who have four children, moved to Mexico City from Orlando, Fla., according to a February release about new church leadership from Church News.