
A potentially grave situation was averted at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville, Louisiana, as parishioners and local police swiftly intervened to thwart an armed intruder during a First Communion Mass.
According to reports from the parish, an armed individual entered the church through the back door as approximately 60 children were participating in their first communion ceremony. Parishioners immediately confronted the suspect and escorted them out of the building before alerting the authorities.
Abbeville Police Chief Mike Hardy commended the parishioners for their quick action, noting that they had disarmed the suspect and restrained them by the time law enforcement arrived on the scene.
Video footage of the Mass captured the tense moments as the situation unfolded. The presiding priest, Father Nicholas DuPre, was seen being informed of the incident while on the altar. He promptly instructed parishioners to sit and pray before taking cover behind the altar with deacons and altar boys as police responded to the scene.
USA
An anti Catholic terrorist was arrested after entering a Catholic Church with a rifle, intending to massacre children and families during a First Holy Communion ceremony in Abbeville, Louisiana pic.twitter.com/5MI36mq20t
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) May 12, 2024
Despite the apprehension of the suspect, panic ensued when the individual claimed that a second shooter was present near the church. Law enforcement subsequently conducted a thorough search of the premises, but no additional suspects were found. The church service continued after police took the suspect into custody.
The 16-year-old suspect, reportedly dressed in black and armed with a rifle, was charged with terrorizing and two counts of possession of a firearm by a juvenile. Following his arrest, he was placed under medical evaluation at the Abbeville General Hospital Behavioral Unit.
Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of Lafayette, Louisiana, expressed gratitude for the prompt response of parishioners and law enforcement, emphasizing the avoidance of a potential tragedy. He called for prayers to end all threats of violence against innocent lives.
In light of the incident, the parish announced heightened security measures, including the presence of uniformed law enforcement at all future Masses, as a precautionary measure.