A 16-year-old armed with a rifle attempted to enter a Louisiana church during a service that was being livestreamed, but was stopped by quick-thinking churchgoers in Abbeville. The suspect tried to enter the church, where around 60 children were waiting to take their first Holy Communion, through the back door. The parishioners confronted the suspect, escorted him outside, and called the police. The livestream showed moments of panic as the churchgoers and clergy reacted to the situation, while police officers arrived and arrested the suspect without any injuries reported.
The suspect was later charged with terrorizing the church and two counts of possession of a firearm by a juvenile. He was interrogated at the Abbeville Police Department and then evaluated at a behavioral unit in a nearby hospital. Police commended the bravery and quick response of the churchgoers and thanked the FBI and Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. Despite the disruption, the communion event continued, and the church expressed gratitude for the safety of all attendees.
The church, part of the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, issued a statement thanking both the police officers and parishioners for their rapid and calm response to the incident. Moving forward, the church plans to have uniformed law enforcement officers present at Masses for added security but encourages those seeking a first Holy Communion to continue attending services without fear. This incident comes in the wake of a recent case in Pittsburgh where an armed man threatened a pastor at a church during a livestreamed service, highlighting the need for increased security measures in places of worship.
Overall, the situation at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville was diffused through the quick action of the churchgoers, preventing a potential tragedy from occurring inside the church full of children. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant and prepared for emergencies in communal settings, particularly places of worship. The church expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from law enforcement and the community and emphasized the need to prioritize the safety and well-being of parishioners and attendees in the face of potential threats.
