This past Saturday, a teenager armed with a rifle tried to enter St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville, Louisiana, where around 60 children were waiting to take their first Holy Communion. Fortunately, parishioners were able to stop the 16-year-old suspect before he could interrupt the Mass, escorting him outside before calling the police.
There was fear as the situation unfolded, but the congregation remained calm and joined together in prayer. Police arrived soon after, took the suspect into custody, and swept the church property to make sure there were no further threats. The teen was taken to a local hospital to be evaluated and is being charged with multiple crimes including Terrorizing and Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile.
Despite the disruption, the communion event continued, and the church later expressed gratitude to both the parishioners and law enforcement for their quick response in ensuring everyone's safety. The incident is still under investigation, and authorities praised the bravery and cooperation of those involved.
Source: NBC NEWS