Louisiana parishioners confront teen who entered church with a gun during children’s Mass
A Mass celebrating dozens of children’s first Communion at a church in southern Louisiana was disrupted on Saturday when a 16-year-old boy armed with a gun entered St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville, according to the church and police.
Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident, which occurred while Mass was in progress. The church stated that a “suspicious person” accessed the back door of the building, prompting parishioners to confront him, escort him outside, and notify the police. At the time, about 60 second-grade students were present with their loved ones for the sacrament of first Communion.
Upon receiving the call about the suspicious person with a gun, authorities swiftly arrived at the church and took the teen into custody. Following questioning at the police station with parental supervision, the suspect was transferred to a hospital behavioral unit for medical evaluation. Police have charged the teen with “terrorizing” and two counts of possession of a firearm by a juvenile.
Rev. Louis J. Richard described the teen as “suspiciously dressed and armed” when he entered the church’s vestibule and was halted by vigilant parishioners after a woman noticed the handgun. The teen allegedly claimed to have intervened to prevent an attack on a priest during the Mass, a claim that authorities are investigating.
The incident comes shortly after a similar occurrence in Pennsylvania, underscoring the vigilance and quick response required in such situations. Video footage from the streamed church service shows the tense moments when parishioners and clergy reacted to the disruption.
In response to this alarming incident, the church has announced that uniformed officers will be present at all upcoming Masses as a precautionary measure. Abbeville Police Chief Mike Hardy expressed gratitude for the swift and calm actions of the clergy and parishioners.
Authorities, including the FBI, are actively investigating the incident, and the church has shared a prayer for healing and peace on its Facebook page. St. Mary Magdalen Parish, with its rich history, remains a pillar in the community despite this unsettling event.
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