Shooting at Church, Coordinated Terror Attacks on Churches
Round up of this week's crime involving churches in the U.S.
CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS
Shooting at Salvation Army Church in Blue Island Injures Three
Three individuals were injured in a shooting at The Salvation Army Blue Island Worship & Community Center in Blue Island, Illinois, on June 21, 2024. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. during a funeral repast for 19-year-old Princess Bell, who was killed in Chicago earlier this month. Gunmen opened fire from a vehicle in the church's parking lot, leading to an exchange of gunfire when an attendee with a concealed-carry license shot back. Police arrested one suspect, and two victims sustained minor injuries while a third was critically injured. The motive is suspected to be gang-related, and police are reviewing surveillance footage to identify the vehicle and other suspects involved.
If you have a gang member, or a person with supsected gang ties, funeral at your church, you need a police presence and your own armed security. Many times rival gangs will come to the funeral to shoot rivals knowing that they will all be in one place. I have done many operations as a police sniper overwatching gang funerals knowing that rival gangs would come to do harm to others. This is a very high risk operation for your church. One you must carry out, but you must be diligent in your security efforts.
Isaiah 41:10:
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Coordinated Terrorist Attacks in Russia's Dagestan Target Religious Sites and Police
On June 23, 2024, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Russia's Dagestan region targeted a synagogue, an Orthodox church, and police checkpoints, resulting in the deaths of at least 19 people, including four civilians and 15 police officers. The attacks occurred in the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent. Russian authorities have blamed intelligence services from Ukraine and NATO countries for orchestrating the attacks, though there has been no immediate claim of responsibility.
This type of attack is exactly what I expect will happen here in the United States. We should be studying these attacks and looking for the same warning indicators. Every church needs a security team that is trained and alert. We mustn’t close our churches or make it harder to enter. We should be wide open so we can worship our Lord and Savior, but maintain awareness and train for something we hope never comes.
Violent Protest Outside Adas Torah Synagogue in Los Angeles
An anti-Israel mob gathered outside the Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles on June 23, 2024, leading to violence as activists attacked a Jewish woman on the street. The protesters, some wearing keffiyehs, blocked synagogue entrances and clashed with congregants who counter-protested. A video captured the assault, showing a masked woman spraying mace on a Jewish man. Police arrested one individual carrying a "spiked flag" meant as a weapon. The incident drew condemnation from President Joe Biden, who emphasized the unacceptability of violence and intimidation against worshippers. This event is part of ongoing tensions in Los Angeles, previously marked by the killing of Paul Kessler by an anti-Israel protester.
Reading the article below that I wrote a few months ago on armed protestors might help you in situations like this. Expect more of this as the election rhetoric continues and Middle East tensions rise.
Phone Threat Forces Collegedale Seventh-Day Adventist Church to Cancel Services
On June 23, 2024, the Collegedale Seventh-Day Adventist Church, located on the campus of Southern Adventist University in Tennessee, had to cancel its Saturday services due to a phone threat. The church was evacuated, and law enforcement, including the Collegedale, Chattanooga, and Hamilton County police departments, ensured the safety of the public. The church resumed normal operations after being cleared by authorities. Pastor Ron Halvorsen Jr. expressed regret over the disruption and called for prayers for the church community's safety and ministry.
It’s unknown what the threat was, but based on the response from police it sounds like a bomb threat. If you receive a bomb threat, the best thing you can do is have everyone who is working their assigned areas check for suspicious packages and devices or anything out of place. The Sunday school teacher that has been in the same room for 10 years knows that room better than anyone and can see if there is a bomb there. The Welcome center person has been in the same place for a year and can say the same thing. Look around. If you see something out of place, call the police and let them handle it. Most bomb scares are just that. I have handled bombings in the past. Each time the bomb blew with no warning. Bombers rarely call in ahead of time. It defeats the purpose of their mission.
Homicide Investigation Launched After Body Found at Kansas City Church
On June 24, 2024, Kansas City police began investigating a homicide after discovering a dead body in the parking lot of Dayspring Pentecostal Church at 9910 Bannister Road. A passerby found the unresponsive young male victim, who had been shot, around 9:30 a.m. Emergency medical teams declared the victim dead at the scene. Detectives are seeking witnesses and surveillance footage, as no prior reports of a shooting or disturbance were made. This incident marks the 72nd homicide in Kansas City this year.
As I have said in the past, when people are running from danger, they come to a church if it is nearby. Be read for danger to come to you that is unassociated with the church. Make sure you have a 4k video system. It could have helped the police catch a murderer.
Dangerous Suspect Arrested After Lockdown at Roseville, CA Church
A 15-year-old suspect deemed dangerous by authorities was apprehended after causing a lockdown at St. Clare Catholic Church and the Play Care Learning Center in Roseville, California. The incident began around 6:45 a.m. when Placer County Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle near Fiddyment Road and Baseline Road. The suspect fled from the vehicle, prompting a lockdown and perimeter setup. The suspect, described as a Hispanic male wearing a gray sweatshirt and black pants, was captured at 10:20 a.m. after being spotted jumping a fence. The Roseville Police Department assisted in the operation.
If you have a lockdown at your school, word will spread quickly through your community. Ensure you have a policy on lockdown procedures and include a way to quickly inform parents that their children are locked down and that they are safe. Provide frequent updates to parents to calm their nerves.
SEX CRIMES
KC Pastor Placed on Leave Amid Grooming and Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Pastor Bobby Hawk of Epic Church KC in Independence, Missouri, has been placed on administrative leave and resigned from his position as president of the Blue Springs School District’s Board of Education amid allegations of sexual misconduct and grooming. The church's board of directors announced the decision following accusations from multiple individuals, including one woman who claimed she was a child at the time of the alleged incidents. The Blue Springs Police Department is investigating the claims, which include inappropriate touching and grooming behavior reported by at least two victims. The church has campuses in Independence, Missouri, and Pontiac, Michigan, and has urged patience and prayers as it navigates these serious concerns.
If allegations like this come up at your church, invite the police in for an investigation, conduct a parallel investigation on your own, and determine if you need to suspend your employee/volunteer. Churches are ripe for those looking to victimize vulnerable adults and children. We must be diligent and transparent when we find wrongdoing.
Church Volunteer Arrested for Rape in Richmond
A volunteer at Saint Cornelius Church in Richmond, California, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual penetration. The suspect, who served as a music director, allegedly abused a girl over several years, starting when she was a minor. The victim reported the assaults in March, leading to the arrest of 37-year-old Miguel Angel Villalobos on June 21. He remains in custody, and authorities believe there may be additional victims. Villalobos has also worked at other Bay Area churches.
Make sure that you make the rounds of the children’s ministry during your security patrols. Look for signs of grooming and predator type behavior. Don’t know what to look for? Read this article here.
New Charges Against Former Immanuel Baptist Church Employee
A former staff member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been arrested on new charges of second-degree sexual assault and kidnapping. Patrick Stephen Miller, who served as the assistant director of children's ministry from May 2014 to January 2016, turned himself in on June 21. These charges follow a previous incident from more than five years ago that resulted in a plea deal for misdemeanor harassment. The latest accusations involve a second accuser, adding to the controversy that previously led to criticism of the church's leadership for withholding information. Miller was released on a $50,000 bond after pleading innocent.
Where there is one sexual assault victim, there are many. If you have an incident at your church, you need to work hard at finding who the other victims are to give them justice and to help them recover from their tragedy.
FBI Investigates Church With No Name Over Child Sex Abuse Claims
The FBI has launched an investigation into the secretive religious sect known as the Church With No Name or the Two by Twos (2x2), following numerous allegations of child sexual abuse. The sect, whose ministers travel in pairs to spread their teachings, faces accusations from former members detailing abuse dating back to the 1950s. Victims from at least 34 states have come forward, prompting the FBI's involvement. Former members have criticized the sect's leaders for their silence and denial of the abuse. The investigation seeks to hold accountable those responsible and ensure the protection of children.
Memphis Felon Charged with Soliciting Sex from 10 Year Old at Church Camp
A Memphis man with a felony record has been charged with inappropriate conduct involving a minor during a summer church camp in Memphis, Tennessee. The incident was reported to authorities, leading to the suspect's arrest. The church has informed the community and parents, implementing measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all camp participants. The investigation is ongoing as authorities gather more information to address the situation appropriately.
Was there a felon at VBS? There isn’t enough information to know for certain, but it kind of looks that way. Personally, I would not let my grandchild attend VBS without me being there. Many churches do not do proper background checks of volunteers at VBS in a mad rush to get help with the mass amount of kids at the VBS. Everyone needs a background check. Take a look at the article I published just the other day on this very subject. I do this for free to prevent things like this. There is no excuse.
ARSON
South LA Church Suffers Two Fires in a Week, Arson Suspected
The Los Angeles Fire Department is investigating two fires that damaged the Holy Apostolic Church in the Chesterfield Square neighborhood of South Los Angeles. The first blaze occurred Tuesday night, and firefighters managed to prevent significant damage to the church. However, a second fire erupted early Thursday morning at the same location on West Slauson Avenue, involving heavy flames that spread through the church. Over 80 firefighters responded, and nearby residents were evacuated. No injuries were reported, and the cause of both fires is under investigation.
PROPERTY CRIMES
Naked Woman Vandalizes Jackson Church
Police in Jackson, MS, are searching for a woman who vandalized the Liberal Trinity Church of God on Northside Drive. The incident, captured on video, occurred Wednesday morning and involved the woman breaking several windows and damaging property while naked. Witnesses reported that she had a sharp object and seemed mentally unstable. The woman, who was seen with blood on her hands and feet, had an argument with a man before the vandalism. The church, which is over 100 years old, now faces repair costs from the damages.
Vandalism at Two Carter County, TN Churches
Two churches in Carter County, Tennessee, were vandalized early on June 23, 2024. Harmony Free Will Baptist Church and Pierce's Chapel Free Will Baptist Church were ransacked, with significant damage including broken windows, destroyed donations, and a messy youth room. The suspect, identified as Derek Wade Blackwell, was caught on security cameras, leading to a quick resolution by authorities. Blackwell is facing charges of burglary, vandalism, and theft. Church members, who know the suspect, expressed their distress and hope for his rehabilitation.
Tennessee Church Scam: Pastor Identity Theft and Donation Fraud
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office in Knoxville, TN, has issued a warning about a scam targeting local churches, where fraudsters impersonate pastors to solicit donations and gift card information from church members. Using spoofing techniques, the scammers send messages that appear to be from legitimate church contacts, requesting urgent assistance or donations. The Sheriff’s Office advises community members to verify such requests directly with church leaders and to report any suspicious messages to crimetips@knoxsheriff.org.
MISC INFORMATION
Couple Dies in Separate Crashes at Same Church in Alabama
In a tragic series of events, two 19-year-olds died after their vehicles crashed into Riverside Baptist Church in St. Clair County, Alabama, within days of each other. On June 20, 2024, Anthony Banks Jr. crashed into the church and died in the ensuing fire. Just days later, on June 23, 2024, his girlfriend, Jennefer L. Arellano-Maldonado, crashed into the same church while fleeing police in a stolen vehicle, also resulting in her death. Authorities are investigating both incidents to determine if Arellano-Maldonado's crash was accidental or intentional. The nearly 100-year-old church was destroyed in the fires caused by the crashes.
My guess is that this crash was intentional. The end result is there are two lost lives and a church that needs to be rebuilt.
INTERNATIONAL STORIES
Terrorists Kidnap Catholic Priest in Sokoto
In Sokoto, Nigeria, terrorists have kidnapped a Catholic priest in a recent incident of escalating violence. The abduction was confirmed by the Diocese of Sokoto, raising concerns about the safety of clergy and residents in the region. The Diocese has called for prayers and swift action to ensure the priest's safe return. This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, particularly in areas plagued by terrorism and banditry.
Many of you are doing missions in very dangerous places. I’m thinking of putting together some training for missionaries going to these places. Let me know what you think. Is this something you want or need?
100-Year-Old Doncaster Church Destroyed in Arson Attack
Rossington Methodist Church, a 100-year-old building in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England, was destroyed in an overnight fire suspected to be an act of arson. Fire crews responded to the blaze at 2:10 a.m. on June 26, 2024. The historic church, which ceased worship services in 2019 due to dwindling attendance, was added to the Local Heritage List last year to preserve its legacy. No casualties were reported, but nearby premises were evacuated as a precaution. The fire department confirmed that the fire was deliberately set, and investigations are ongoing.
Thanks Keith. A training for missionaries going abroad would be great. Appreciate all you're doing.