In Abbeville, Louisiana, a 16-year-old was apprehended after entering a Catholic church with a gun, causing alarm among children attending their First Holy Communion last weekend.
The incident unfolded at St. Mary Magdalen, where parishioners subdued the teen before law enforcement arrived, averting any injuries, as reported by local news.
The FBI is collaborating with the Abbeville Police to investigate the event.
Footage from the incident shows a man approaching the priest during the ceremony, leading to the interruption of the proceedings and subsequent panic among attendees.
According to a statement by St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church on Facebook, a “suspicious person” entered the building through the back door, alarming witnesses who reported seeing him armed and dressed in dark attire.
The situation caused chaos as churchgoers reacted with fear, prompting the priest to seek refuge behind the altar as children and attendees fled.
Describing the incident as “frightening” and acknowledging the resulting panic, the church commended parishioners for swiftly confronting the individual and alerting the authorities.
Following the incident, police conducted a thorough search of the premises to ensure there was no ongoing threat.
The suspect, who claimed the presence of a second shooter, was arrested and charged with terrorizing and possession of firearms by a juvenile. He was subsequently evaluated medically.
In response to the incident, St. Mary Magdalen expressed gratitude to its community and law enforcement for their prompt actions in maintaining safety.
As a precautionary measure, uniformed police will be present at future Masses.
This incident echoes a similar occurrence in Pennsylvania, where a man aimed a gun at a pastor during a church service but was restrained by parishioners before being arrested by police.
Source-BBC
