May 13th 2024.
On a Saturday morning, the First Communion ceremony was being livestreamed at St Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. As Fr Nicholas Dupré led a prayer at the altar, something unexpected happened. A 16-year-old boy, armed with a rifle, attempted to break into the church through the back door. The incident was captured on the livestream, causing chaos and commotion among the parishioners attending the service.
As the livestream reached the 48-minute mark, the congregation at the front of the church suddenly turned their heads to look behind them. A man in a suit approached Fr Dupré and whispered something to him. The priest then asked everyone to recite the Hail Mary prayer with him. Screams could be heard in the background as about 60 children received their First Communion.
The clergy and altar boys quickly took action, with some kneeling down behind the communion table and others running around the priest. Two armed police officers also appeared, and a man announced that they had apprehended the suspect and he was now in custody. He urged the parents to remain calm and stay close to their children as they slowly made their way out of the church.
The suspect was confronted and escorted outside by the parishioners, and the police department arrived shortly after to arrest him. The officers also conducted a sweep around the church to ensure there was no further threat and confirmed that no one had been injured.
The suspect was taken to the police department headquarters for questioning, with his parents present. He was then transferred to Abbeville General Hospital Behavioral Unit for a medical evaluation. Charges were filed against him for terrorizing and two counts of possessing a firearm as a juvenile.
Police Chief Mike Hardy expressed gratitude towards the clergy and parishioners for their quick response and calm demeanor during the incident. He also thanked the FBI for their involvement in the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about the crime was urged to contact the police department.
This incident occurred just a week after another church service livestream incident, where a man pointed a gun at a pastor before being tackled by a deacon at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock, Pennsylvania. The suspect was later found to have allegedly shot and killed his cousin before attempting to harm the pastor. These incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant and being prepared for any unexpected emergencies.
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