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Parishioners at a Louisiana church prevented a tragedy on Saturday (May 11) by stopping a teenage gunman armed with a rifle from entering the building.
There were about 60 children and their families inside St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville as they prepared to receive their first Holy Communion when the armed teen tried to sneak in through the back door.
Several churchgoers confronted the teenager, who was dressed in all black, and escorted him back outside before calling the police.
When officers arrived, they took the teen into custody and swept the church as a precaution.
After the church was cleared, the service continued without further incident.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Abbeville Police Chief Mike Hardy thanked "all Clergy and Parishioners of St Mary Magdalen Church for their quick response and remaining calm throughout this matter."
The teen was interviewed by police and then taken to Abbeville General Hospital Behavioral Unit for a medical evaluation.
He is facing one count of terrorizing and two counts of possession of a firearm by a juvenile.