Pastor disarms church gunman during anti-violence sermon
TomoNews US
2016-01-04
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FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA — A pastor disarmed a man with a rifle who walked into his church during a New Year's Eve sermon on senseless violence.
The incident took place at around 11:40 p.m. on Dec. 31 as pastor Larry Wright spoke to a congregation of some 60 people at the Heal the Land Outreach Ministries Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the Fayetteville Observer reported.
The unidentified man — who appeared to be in his late 20s — was carrying a semi-automatic rifle in one hand and an ammunition clip in the other, according to the Fayetteville Observer.
The congregation was startled, and at least one member, a pregnant woman, exited the church, the Fayetteville Observer reported.
Wright, a retired Army sergeant first class, told CNN the glint from the weapon made him realize it was real.
The 6-foot-2 pastor, who weighs 230 pounds, told the Fayetteville Observer he was ready to tackle the man if necessary.
However, Wright said the man remained calm when he stepped down from the pulpit to confront him.
Wright, who is also a city councilor, took the weapon from the man and handed it to one of his deacons. He patted the man down and then embraced him.
Wright prayed for the man, who cried as he fell to his knees, according to the Fayetteville Observer.
The man then sat in the front pew while the service continued.
Police were called and escorted the man away after the service ended. Police told the Fayetteville Observer the man was later voluntarily committed to a medical center.
Wright was speaking about violence in other churches in the United States when the man entered the church, the Fayetteville Observer reported.
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The incident took place at around 11:40 p.m. on Dec. 31 as pastor Larry Wright spoke to a congregation of some 60 people at the Heal the Land Outreach Ministries Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the Fayetteville Observer reported.
The unidentified man — who appeared to be in his late 20s — was carrying a semi-automatic rifle in one hand and an ammunition clip in the other, according to the Fayetteville Observer.
The congregation was startled, and at least one member, a pregnant woman, exited the church, the Fayetteville Observer reported.
Wright, a retired Army sergeant first class, told CNN the glint from the weapon made him realize it was real.
The 6-foot-2 pastor, who weighs 230 pounds, told the Fayetteville Observer he was ready to tackle the man if necessary.
However, Wright said the man remained calm when he stepped down from the pulpit to confront him.
Wright, who is also a city councilor, took the weapon from the man and handed it to one of his deacons. He patted the man down and then embraced him.
Wright prayed for the man, who cried as he fell to his knees, according to the Fayetteville Observer.
The man then sat in the front pew while the service continued.
Police were called and escorted the man away after the service ended. Police told the Fayetteville Observer the man was later voluntarily committed to a medical center.
Wright was speaking about violence in other churches in the United States when the man entered the church, the Fayetteville Observer reported.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb criminals and much more! Subscribe now for daily news animations that will knock your socks off.
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Check out our Android app: http://bit.ly/1rddhCj
Check out our iOS app: http://bit.ly/1gO3z1f
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Twitter @tomonewsus http://www.twitter.com/TomoNewsUS
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