Louisiana Parishioners Arrest Armed Teen Who Attended Children’s Church Service | Louisiana

A 16-year-old was charged with one count of terrorism and two counts of possession of a firearm by a minor after attending a church service in Abbeville, Louisiana, where 60 children were receiving their first communion.

Police confirmed that “the individual was confronted by parishioners and escorted outside” before being taken into custody.

Police have not released details about the teenager, described as a white man, his possible motive, the weapon or how he obtained it, but local reports say he was dressed black and armed with a rifle.

According to Abbeville police, the teen entered the back door of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, about 20 miles south of Lafayette, on Saturday and was confronted by parishioners.

“There were several people here in the community who, in the face of the terrifying situation, stood their ground and wanted to make sure the community was safe and didn’t think about themselves in the slightest and didn’t put themselves at risk. danger,” said the youth ministry. » Leader John Listi told the Washington Post.

Listi told the outlet that the church community was shaken and anxious but would “emerge stronger than ever.”

A recording from local TV station KADN shows events unfolding as Listl, about to receive communion, is informed of the intruder and asks the faithful to sit and pray. Then children’s cries are heard and a police officer enters the frame and draws his gun.

Altar boys are seen running through the choir behind the altar and a voice comes over the speakers: “Listen, guys, grab your child. Go slowly. We apprehended a young man. He is in police custody. He is in police custody. Calm down, just stand next to your child and move forward slowly.

St. Mary Magdalene Church has since said uniformed officers will be stationed at upcoming masses.

Police said the teen was questioned in the presence of his parents and transported to Abbeville Hospital’s behavioral unit, where he was charged.

But the incident inevitably raised fears of a repeat of massacres that have upended aspects of public life in the United States, including religion.

In 2015, nine black parishioners were killed during a Bible study at a church in South Carolina by a self-proclaimed white supremacist; two years later, a gunman used a rifle to kill 25 people at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. In 2018, a man killed 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.

After Saturday’s incident, Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White said she was grateful to “the courageous and diligent people who kept our community safe despite the threat and the officers who remained focused in incredibly stressful circumstances.”