Pastor Shoots Burglar, Stabbing Victim Dies in Church
This week's roundup of crime at churches
I’m going to try and do a weekly live video broadcast reviewing the stories below. I like this format because I can expand exponentially on these crimes and how to prevent them at your church. This week’s live broadcast will be on Monday at 1 PM PST/4 PM EST. You’ll be able to watch on YouTube here.
CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS
Pastor Shoots Suspected Church Burglar in Baltimore
In Southwest Baltimore, a pastor at Praise Cathedral Church shot a 59-year-old man during an alleged burglary attempt on May 26, 2024. The incident occurred around 7:56 AM at a church currently under construction on the 100 block of South Mount Street. Responding officers found the suspect with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, and he was transported to a local hospital. The shooting is under investigation, and details about the pastor's involvement and the circumstances leading up to the incident are still being gathered by authorities.
I’ve been following this incident since it occurred. I felt that it was going to be released that it was someone associated with the church. It should be deemed a justifiable shooting. However, it is Baltimore. The pastor could be charged because these types of jurisdictions often have prosecutors that base their charging decisions on things other than actual law. The next question you are going to have is what is the best insurance for you to have for self defense shootings? I am just about finished with looking at the different plans available on the market. I reached out to ALL of the major companies and heard back from only a handful. Many will not cover you for church security work or will charge you extra for the coverage. I hope to have something out in the next month.
Stabbing Victim Dies After Arriving at Knoxville Church
On July 23, 2024, a fatal stabbing incident occurred in Knoxville, Tennessee, where 26-year-old Tavares Harrison showed up injured at Cokesbury United Methodist Church. Responding officers discovered Harrison had been stabbed, leading to an investigation that located a 55-year-old man dead near Kingston Pike and I-140. It is alleged that Harrison, involved in a fight with the victim, struck him with an axe. Harrison has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held at the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility.
As I’ve said before, people in danger will often run to a church to seek refuge. A church is a magnet for those that think they are about to die. In this instance, I would lock the doors to the church and place armed security at the door the victim came through. I would call 911 and give them an update and provide emergency first aid to the victim. As you are working on them, ask them who injured them and where that person is now. Keep asking questions to keep them alert and reassure them they are safe. Pray with them and then keep asking questions about the incident. If they die, you will be testifying on their behalf in court when the suspect is prosecuted. Also, sometimes the victim will refuse to testify. What you heard will be very important.
Sheriff's Office Seeks Public Help in St. Albans Church Shooting Investigation
The Kanawha County Sheriff's Office is asking for public assistance in the investigation of a shooting at Maranatha Fellowship Church in St. Albans, West Virginia, on July 25, 2024. The incident occurred when a bullet was fired into the church, where the pastor was inside with his family, causing panic and fear but fortunately no injuries. Deputies are examining evidence at the scene and would like to question the driver of a white truck that has the sticker “I CARRY NALOXONE” on the left rear bumper.
If you are the pastor of this church, reply to this email and I’d be glad to consult with you about protecting your church after this incident. There isn’t much you can do when someone does a driveby of your church except to lay on the ground, shield your loved ones and pray for the Lord to protect you. When it is done, get up slowly and make sure the attack is over. You should be concerned about them coming back in the future. It should be fairly easy to find the person based on the description.
Euclid Church Festival Alters Policies After Teen Disturbance
Ss. Robert and William Catholic Parish in Euclid, Ohio, announced changes to their annual festival following a chaotic incident involving a large group of teens. On a recent Friday night, teens engaged in disruptive behavior, including fighting and blocking traffic near the festival. In response, the church now requires teens to be accompanied by an adult and to wear wristbands. Additionally, only one entrance and exit will be utilized. The Euclid Police Department used pepper spray and pepper balls to disperse the crowd and ensure safety.
If you have police respond to your church because of a disruption so bad that they need to use pepper balls and pepper spray to break it up, you obviously missed something in your planning process. If you hold ANY kind of large event outside of your normal service, you need to examine the need for safety and security measures. This area has experienced numerous issues like this in the past few months, so that is a clue that you would need to have security on hand to handle rowdy participants. If you have events like this, you should look at how you will control crowds if they become rowdy. Your local police department/sheriffs department can help you coordinate and plan.
Two Shot Near Church in Sterling
On July 24, 2024, two teenagers were shot near a church in Sterling, Illinois. The incident occurred late Tuesday night on West 9th Street, close to the church, when an argument escalated, resulting in gunfire. Both victims were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Sterling Police Department is investigating the shooting and is urging anyone with information to come forward to assist with the case.
Although not occurring at the church, it is a good reminder about what to do when there is one while church is in service. Immediately lock your church down. Lock all doors and ask congregants to seek cover in an area that is away from walls facing the shooting. Call 911 and place armed safety personnel near church entrances. You can provide aid to those outside after the critical incident after.
SEX CRIMES
State Officials Investigate Abuse at Mississippi Megachurch
Mississippi state officials are investigating sexual abuse allegations at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison, Mississippi. The probe involves two cases, one linked to former youth pastor David Ingram from the 1980s and another involving a girl abused by different men while attending the church's youth ministry. The church mishandled reports of abuse, leading to the current investigation. Broadmoor Baptist has initiated a third-party review and expressed commitment to addressing the issue transparently.
Arlington Pastor Arrested and Charged with Sexual Assault
Ronnie Goines, 51, the lead pastor at Koinonia Christian Church in Arlington, Texas, was arrested on July 25, 2024, following a sexual assault investigation. Goines turned himself in after the Arlington Police Department issued warrants for indecent assault and sexual assault. The charges stem from a report made in June by a woman, prompting an investigation that led to the filing of criminal charges. Goines, a prominent public figure and founder of the IMPACT Center, is being held on a $23,000 bond. Authorities are requesting anyone with additional information to contact Detective Williams at (817) 459-5312.
TRAFFIC ISSUES
Man Taken to Hospital After Crashing Car into Jackson Church
On July 20, 2024, a man was hospitalized after crashing his car into St. John's United Church of Christ in Jackson, Michigan. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. when the driver experienced a medical emergency, causing him to lose control of his vehicle. Emergency responders extricated the man from the car and transported him to Henry Ford Jackson Hospital. The crash caused significant damage to the church, but no other injuries were reported.
Traffic issues are the least concern for many churches. If you are on a busy street, you need to look at how you will protect your church from runaway cars. Vehicle vs. building crashes happen very regularly. Many times there are major injuries for those in the building hit. Take a look at the photo below. This is a home that I responded to for traffic collisions into their property no less than 4 times in 30 years (just me, not including all of the other officers that went there on different occasions). The home is at the end of a T intersection that is controlled by a 3 way stop. People routinely ran the stop sign and collided with ballards that he installed in front of his home. They are short “boulders” that are secured by long rebar going into the ground. I never saw a car go through those ballards, but I did see a lot of destroyed cars. The family was smart and realized that their house was going to get hit and installed those. What about your church? You can install all sorts of blocking barriers to protect your people and still keep it classy.
For more information, visit the original article here.
ARSON
Churches Attacked with Arson and Bricks in New York
Multiple churches in New York City were targeted in a series of attacks involving arson and vandalism. In Brooklyn, the Church of St. Augustine was set on fire, resulting in extensive damage to its interior and historic structure. Additionally, the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan had its windows shattered by bricks, causing significant damage to the property.
I have been tracking a significant number of churches attacked in NYC, specifically Catholic churches. Many are perpetrated by transients, however a number seem to have a connection to individuals upset about incidents in the Middle East. Churches in NYC need to take enhanced security measures including installing burglar/fire alarms, 4k video systems, and armed security at all entry points. I would increase training for safety teams on dealing with social disruptors and vandalism, in addition to active shooter training.
Woman Accused of Burning Down Jacksonville Church
Crystal Spicer, 45, was arrested and charged with arson and burglary after allegedly setting fire to Believer’s Joy Worship Church in North Jacksonville, Florida. The fire, which occurred on July 22, 2024, destroyed the church's offices and nursery. Despite the incident, the church's associate pastor expressed forgiveness, noting that Spicer had previously been offered help by the church. Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the fire, and the church plans to continue services outdoors if necessary.
PROPERTY CRIMES
Nationwide Church Robbery Spree Targets Jacksonville
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is seeking two men, Marius Dumitru, 30, and Marius "Viorel" Dumitru, 37, involved in a nationwide scheme targeting churches. The pair, part of a six-member Romanian group, allegedly stole over $700,000 from 636 churches across multiple states, including 16 in Jacksonville, Florida. Their tactics involved stealing checks from church mailboxes, then cashing them. The FDLE is urging anyone with information to contact their Fort Myers office.
I’ve never talked about mail theft here before, but it is a huge issue in America. You should ensure that your church has a strong mailbox that is tamper resistant and lockable. Your local post office is a great resource to help you to better understand how to secure your mailbox. What you don’t want is to have a standard mailbox that anyone can open at the street (or anywhere, no open mailboxes period).
Deputies Seek Suspects in Spartanburg County Church Burglary
Deputies in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, are searching for suspects involved in a recent burglary at a local church. The incident occurred at Mount Sinai Baptist Church, where thieves broke in and stole various items, causing damage to the property. Authorities have released surveillance footage in hopes of identifying the culprits and are appealing to the public for any information that could assist in the investigation.
This is my weekly reminder that you need a 4k video system and a burglar/fire alarm.
Portland Church Faces Extensive Vandalism
St. Patrick Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon, has recently endured significant vandalism, including pro-abortion graffiti, damage, and evidence of drug use. This latest incident, part of a broader pattern of attacks on churches since the leak of the Dobbs decision in 2022, saw messages such as "My body, my choice" defacing the church's exterior. The church's pastor has addressed the graffiti, emphasizing forgiveness and the potential for transformation. The attack is part of an ongoing series of vandalism acts targeting religious institutions in Portland, which have seen a significant increase over the past few years.
For more details, visit the original article on KGW.
Catholic churches seem to be bearing the brunt of these vandalisms. However, if you are in Portland, or any other city that has lax prosecutorial standards, expect to see more crime to your church. Until those cities decide to enforce laws on the books, expect to see more crime in our churches in those areas. Churches will have to take increased security measures to protect their properties.
INTERNATIONAL STORIES
Arson Damages Church Near Garden of Gethsemane
A historic church in Jerusalem sustained significant damage due to an arson attack. The incident occurred at the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish, a site of near the Garden of Gethsemane. The arson caused substantial destruction to the church's interior. This attack has drawn widespread condemnation and calls for swift justice for the perpetrators.
Hindu Nationalists Threaten Christians Three Times in Two Weeks in Central India
In Central India, Christians have faced three threats of violence from Hindu nationalists within a two-week period. The incidents occurred in different parts of the state of Madhya Pradesh, where extremist groups have targeted local Christian communities, threatening attacks and creating an atmosphere of fear and tension.
Kieth, thank you for all you do brother!
As a leader of our safety team I use and reference your material regularly, it is a blessing to our community.
May God give you the wisdom and strength to continue this service to His body.
Be blessed.
Dave.
Keith, I am unable to view the latest video on the New Zealand incident. I sent an email reply in your last newsletter but have not heard back. I am a paying member, so I would like to know how to log in to view the video. I do not see a 'Members Only' link in your newsletter. Please make it easier for paying members to access your materials. Thanks - J