The pastor of St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville says 60 children were set to receive their First Communion on Saturday when a teenager entered the church and brandished a gun. Law enforcement was quick to respond and a frightening experience ended with no shots fired.
Viewers of the live stream saw two priests lowering their bodies behind a table and screams can be heard from the congregation.
Authorities have charged a 16-year-old with terrorizing and two counts of possession of a firearm by a juvenile. The Diocese of Lafayette says the gunman was dressed in all black with a hoodie over his head and wearing a mask. After he was taken into custody, the all clear was given.
“Just get ahold of your child, go slowly. We did apprehend a young man, he is in custody. He is in the police custody. Calm down and get next to your child” authorities said.
Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel says they will have uniformed law enforcement at all upcoming Masses. First Communicants can receive First Holy Communion at whichever Mass they choose this weekend.