In the early hours of August 16, 2025, the tranquility of a Mexico City neighborhood was shattered by the sound of gunfire. R. Tyler Wallis, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Mexico City West Mission, was shot by an intruder during a violent attempted robbery at his home, according to multiple reports including KSL-TV and the Daily Mail. The incident, which occurred at approximately 2 a.m., left the 57-year-old missionary leader fighting for his life—and sparked an outpouring of support from the global Latter-day Saint community.
Wallis, who had moved to Mexico City with his wife Elizabeth just weeks before, was reportedly shot at point-blank range with a 9mm pistol. The bullet struck just below his sternum, penetrating two inches but, in what family members and friends are calling a miracle, missed all vital organs and arteries. As a family friend described on Facebook, “The burglar shot Tyler with 9mm just below the sternum. It penetrated 5mm or 2 inches and then, without hitting any organs or arteries, exited out his side. An undeniable miracle that he is not dead.”
Church spokesperson Sam Penrod confirmed to KSL-TV that Wallis was taken to a nearby medical center in Mexico City and is now in stable condition, receiving care in an intermediate unit. “President R. Tyler Wallis was shot once by an intruder during an attempted robbery in their home at approximately 2 a.m. local time,” Penrod said. “President Wallis was responding well to treatment in an intermediate care unit in Mexico City.”
Elizabeth Wallis, 54, was unharmed during the break-in. In the immediate aftermath, she frantically reached out to family and friends, urging them to “wake up and pray” for her husband’s survival. According to a message shared by her brother on Facebook, Elizabeth texted, “We need prayers immediately. We've had a robber break in our house and Tyler has been shot two times please see this and wake everyone up and have them pray for him.” The family’s daughter Madeleine later posted an update: “My dad is doing well - we appreciate all the prayers and rejoice in miracles.”
The Wallises’ ordeal has highlighted both the risks faced by foreign missionaries and the deep bonds of support within their faith community. The couple, originally from Orlando, Florida, had just begun their three-year mission in Mexico City in July. Tyler Wallis previously worked as executive vice president of residential services at Summit Broadband, a Florida-based fiber-optic network company. The couple has four children, though it remains unclear if any were present during the home invasion.
Elizabeth, who works as a life coach for parents of children with anxiety, has spoken in the past about her commitment to service and family. On her website, she wrote, “My husband and I raised our four children in 6 cities. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am a woman trying to reduce anxiety in the world.” In June, before their move to Mexico, Elizabeth announced on Facebook, “A new chapter of our life has begun. We are excited to serve the Lord in this capacity.”
The attempted robbery and shooting have prompted a swift response from Church leadership. Penrod emphasized, “The Church is cooperating with local authorities as they investigate the incident. All missionaries are safe.” He 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.”
Mexico City, while enjoying improved safety in recent years, continues to grapple with high rates of robbery and violent crime, particularly in central neighborhoods such as the Cuauhtemoc borough. According to Dow Jones data cited by the Daily Mail, violent robberies remain a risk in many areas close to the city’s center. The attack on Wallis underscores the ongoing dangers that residents—and especially foreigners—can face, even in their own homes.
Wallis’s survival has been described by friends and family as nothing short of miraculous. The bullet’s trajectory, which managed to avoid causing fatal damage despite its proximity to vital organs, has been a source of relief and gratitude for those close to the family. One family friend wrote on Facebook, “An undeniable miracle that he is not dead.” The sentiment was echoed in the flood of prayers and messages of support posted online in the days following the attack.
The Wallises’ arrival in Mexico City was met with optimism and anticipation. As mission president, Tyler Wallis oversees the work of dozens of missionaries, guiding and supporting their efforts to serve the local community. There are 17 other pairs of church leaders running missions in Mexico, including four in Mexico City alone, according to the LDS Church. The couple’s commitment to their faith and to their new community was evident in their willingness to relocate and take on significant responsibilities far from home.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Church has reiterated its commitment to the safety and well-being of its missionaries. “All missionaries are safe,” Penrod assured, noting that the Church is working closely with Mexican authorities to investigate the incident and prevent future tragedies. The Mexico Area Presidency has also stepped in to provide support to Elizabeth Wallis and the rest of the mission community.
The attack has sparked conversations within the missionary community—and beyond—about the risks faced by religious volunteers abroad. While the Church has taken steps to increase security and provide guidance for missionaries serving in high-risk areas, the reality is that dangers persist. Nevertheless, the resilience and faith displayed by the Wallises and their supporters have offered a powerful testament to the strength of community and the human spirit in the face of adversity.
As R. Tyler Wallis continues his recovery in Mexico City, the prayers and well-wishes from around the world serve as a reminder of the global reach and solidarity of the Latter-day Saint community. For now, the Wallises are surrounded by care and support, and their story stands as a sobering but hopeful chapter in the ongoing work of faith and service in challenging circumstances.