Priest Shot in Carjacking Plays Dead, Survives

CAMDEN, N.J. — A Russian Orthodox priest survived a carjacking by lying beneath a blanket and pretending he was dead as his kidnapers drove, police said Friday.

The Rev. Mark Shinn, 48, said he was walking toward his 1986 Dodge van, parked outside St. Andrew Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia late Thursday evening, when three young men approached him with drawn weapons, wrapped him in a blanket and forced him into the vehicle.

Police said the carjackers then shot Shinn twice and drove into New Jersey, dumping him in Camden. Shinn played dead, the three drove away and he was able to summon help. Police spotted his van early Friday morning and arrested the occupants.