Church members stopped a teenager armed with a rifle from entering a Louisiana church filled with children during a livestreamed church service Saturday, authorities said.
At 10:35 a.m., police were called to St. Mary Magdalene Church in Abbeville, 20 miles south of Lafayette, after a 16-year-old suspect attempted to enter through the back door.
According to the church, there were about 60 children inside the Catholic church at the time waiting to receive their first communion.
The church said in a statement that parishioners confronted the suspect and took him outside before calling police.
A recording of the livestream broadcast by several local news stations showed a man approaching Pastor Nicolas Dupre 48 minutes later and whispering something to him. Dupre then called off the service and called on church members to join him in prayer, but people panicked and some began screaming.
Police were then seen walking through the church as boys ran through the altar and priests evacuated. Someone can be heard saying over a loudspeaker, “Guys, grab your kids and go slow. We have indeed arrested a child, and he is in custody.”
Abbeville Police Chief Mike Hardy said in a statement on Facebook that the suspect was “confronted by parishioners and taken outside.” Police then arrived and took him into custody, then swept the church to ensure there were no further threats or injuries.
The suspect was arrested and later charged with two counts of terrorism against a church and possession of a firearm by a juvenile. Witnesses told KADN that Lafayette was wearing all black clothing and was carrying a rifle.
Police said he and his parents were questioned at the Abbeville Police Department and then taken to Abbeville General Hospital’s behavioral unit for evaluation.
Police praised the church’s members for their resourcefulness and courage. Mr Hardy thanked “the clergy and parishioners of St. Magdalene Church for their quick response and for remaining calm throughout this matter.”
He also said the FBI and Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office are involved in the ongoing investigation and thanked them for their assistance.
Despite the disruption, sacramental services continued. “Words cannot describe the joy these children experienced today as they received their First Communion. Congratulations!” the church said on Facebook.
In a statement released by the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, the church thanked police and the diocese for their quick response.
“We know it was a frightening experience for those in attendance, but we are extremely grateful to both parishioners and police officers who acted quickly to ensure everyone’s safety.” said.
The church will now have uniformed law enforcement officers outside Masses “out of an abundance of caution,” but urged those wishing to receive their first Holy Communion to do so at their next Mass.
Earlier this month, a man pointed a gun at a pastor at a church in Pittsburgh, an incident that was captured on a video livestream.
