ABBEVILLE, La. (KADN) — A tragedy was narrowly avoided at an Abbeville church this weekend, where a teen, dressed in black and armed with a rifle, was stopped by parishioners from getting inside where dozens of children were making their First Communion.
The chaos in church was captured on a livestream of the service at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, where 60 children were making their First Holy Communion.
St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville was evacuated during a Mass Saturday over some sort of threat. A livestream on the church’s website shows 48 minutes into the service, a man approached the priest on the altar and whispered something into his ear.
The video shows that 48 minutes into the service, a man approaches Father Nicholas Dupre and whispers something in his ear.
Father Dupre stopped what he was doing, then told everyone to sit and he started praying the Hail Mary.
But attention soon turned to the back of the church.
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ABBEVILLE, La. (KADN) — St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville was evacuated during a Mass Saturday after a suspicious person opened the back door of the church. The person was later taken into custody by police.
Abbeville Police Chief Mike Hardy said his office was contacted about the incident around 10:35 a.m. Police then descended on the church, even on the altar, where altar servers ran to safety and clergy crouched behind the altar.
According to witnesses, the teen, who was dressed in black and armed with a rifle, was confronted by parishioners, escorted outside, and placed under arrest.
Witnesses also told News 15 that police were concerned there could have been another person with guns inside the church, so officers went in for a sweep.
“We did apprehend a young man,” one officer told parishioners inside the church. “He is in custody. Calm down and get next to your child and just go slowly.”
There will be added security at St. Mary Magdalen for all upcoming masses.
St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville was evacuated during a Mass Saturday over some sort of threat. A livestream on the church’s website shows 48 minutes into the service, a man approached the priest on the altar and whispered something into his ear.
Chief Hardy said the suspect was taken to the Abbeville Police Department and questioned with his parent present. He added the suspect, a 16-year-old boy was interviewed by officers and then taken to Abbeville General Hospital Behavioral Unit for a medical evaluation. The teen is charged with terrorizing and two counts of possession of a firearm by a juvenile.
Abbeville police, Vermilion Parish sheriff’s deputies, and the FBI are investigating.
Chief Hardy thanked the FBI agents for their assistance in the investigation. He also thanked the deputies with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office that assisted the Abbeville Police Department in the clearing of the church and all clergy and parishioners of St. Mary Magdalen Church for their quick response and remaining calm throughout this matter.