Man Shot, In Critical Condition After Being Shot at Church
Get this week's crime news from churches around the U.S.
In this edition
CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS
Man Shot Outside Greater New Unity Baptist Church in South Los Angeles
Man Shot While Robbing Church Construction Site in Baltimore, MD
SEX CRIMES
Alabama Pastor Charged With Rape, Sodomy May Have Used Church To Contact Victims
Man Arrested at Burgaw Church Parking Lot Facing Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Charges
Judge Sets Trial for Man Accused of Exposing Himself to Child
ARSON
Church Arson Under Investigation in Vancouver, WA
Officials Seek Clues After Beaufort County Church Was Intentionally Set on Fire
PROPERTY CRIME
Mother Mary Statue Returned to St. Boniface Church
Theft at Well Community Church in Clovis, CA
MISC STORIES
First Amendment ‘Auditors’ on the Street Once Again
FOLLOW UP STORIES
Arrest Made After Warning Shot Incident Near Nashville Church
Man Arrested in Robbery that Led to South Memphis Pastor Being Shot in Face
INTERNATIONAL
US Missionaries Killed in Haiti Amid Gang Violence
14 Catholics Killed in Democratic Republic of Congo After Refusing to Convert to Islam
Christian Family Attacked by Angry Mob in Pakistan
CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS
Man Shot Outside Greater New Unity Baptist Church in South Los Angeles
A man in his 30s was critically injured in a shooting outside Greater New Unity Baptist Church in South Los Angeles on Sunday morning. The incident, captured on video, occurred around 10 a.m. near 98th Street and Avalon Boulevard. The victim, sitting on a curb, was shot at multiple times following a dispute with the suspect. Despite being shot twice in the back and once in the chest, the victim managed to seek help inside the church. He is expected to survive. The suspect remains at large as the investigation continues.
Watch my video breakdown, above, to get my insights on what to do if this happens at your church.
Man Shot While Robbing Church Construction Site in Baltimore, MD
On May 26, a 59-year-old man was shot while attempting to burglarize a vacant church under construction in the 100 block of South Mount Street, Baltimore, Maryland. Responding to a report of a shooting at approximately 7:56 a.m., Southwest District patrol officers found the injured man, who was then transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Baltimore Police Department is investigating the incident and has requested anyone with information to contact Southwest District detectives.
Shooting someone for a property crime is wrong. If you catch someone breaking into your church, yes, pull your gun and hold them at gunpoint until the police arrive. You shouldn’t be shooting anyone for stealing unless your life, or the life of others, is in danger. Many are going to ask why I’m telling you to hold them at gunpoint if you shouldn’t shoot someone for a property crime. Because many burglars are armed and you want to keep the upper hand. I hope that is clear enough.
SEX CRIMES
Alabama Pastor Charged With Rape, Sodomy May Have Used Church To Contact Victims
Authorities in Alabama have arrested Bradrick Vail Sr., a 35-year-old pastor from Mobile, on multiple charges of sexual assault, including rape and sodomy. Vail allegedly used his church, Tree of Life Deliverance Ministries, to contact victims, leading to his apprehension by the Mobile Police Department’s Special Victims Unit. Investigators suspect there may be additional victims and are urging anyone with information to come forward. Read more
Every week there are multiple sexual assaults committed by church volunteers or church staff. I have written extensively about the need for church policy protecting our children and congregants from predators along with ongoing monitoring and background checks.
Man Arrested at Burgaw Church Parking Lot Facing Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Charges
Kenneth Walter Wardlow, a 39-year-old from Winston-Salem, was arrested on Tuesday at a closed church parking lot in Burgaw, facing three felony charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. A Burgaw Police Department officer found Wardlow in a suspicious vehicle around 3:20 p.m. and initiated an investigation, leading to the charges of first, second, and third-degree exploitation of a minor. Wardlow is currently held in the Pender County Jail under a $75,000 secured bond. Read more.
As a police officer, I would often drive through church parking lots. For some reason, criminals love going there to do drugs and commit other crimes unassociated with the church. I encourage you to scrutinize unrecognized cars at all hours every day in your parking lot. If you don't call the police, make sure that you watch my course on dealing with suspicious vehicles so you don't get hurt.
New Course Released: Suspicious Vehicles
When it comes to securing your church, the significance of a well-monitored parking lot cannot be overstated. It serves as the primary entry and exit point for congregants and visitors, making it a critical area for maintaining safety and security. To be honest, all problems will start from the parking lot. Active shooters have to arrive at the church i…
Judge Sets Trial for Man Accused of Exposing Himself to Child
Mark Newton Heatwole, a local church leader, has been indicted on charges of exposing himself to a child under 15. The incidents allegedly occurred between July 2017 and June 2018. Heatwole, 66, pleaded not guilty and remains free on a $10,000 secured bond with conditions including GPS monitoring and no contact with minors except family. His jury trial is set for December 16, with a pretrial hearing on November 6. Read more.
Teacher Charged with Child Molestation Violates Bail Conditions
Jordan Henderson, a fifth-grade teacher from Evergreen Elementary School in Gig Harbor, Washington, is back in jail for violating his bail conditions following charges of first-degree child molestation. Henderson, a deacon at Wellspring Fellowship Church in Key Peninsula, was previously released on bail under the condition that he not contact minors except his children and refrain from attending church. He allegedly violated this by hosting religious services at his home, attended by minors. A neighbor reported seeing numerous juveniles at these gatherings, prompting his re-arrest. During the bail hearing, the court increased his bail to $750,000. Additional investigations revealed potential involvement with child pornography, further complicating his legal situation.
If one of your people is arrested for sex crimes, immediately suspend them from all church activities. Monitor them while they are at church and have them sign an MOU on their behavior (you can find that in our downloads section here). You have a duty to protect your children.
Read more at: Tacoma News Tribune
ARSON
Church Arson Under Investigation in Vancouver, WA
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an arson incident at City Harvest Church in Vancouver, Washington. Early Sunday morning, an unknown individual or group broke a window at the church located at 8100 NW 9th Avenue and started a fire inside. Fortunately, the fire was quickly contained and extinguished by the church’s fire suppression system. Both the Sheriff’s Office and the Fire Marshall’s Office are involved in the ongoing investigation.
Score one for the churches that have fire alarms and fire suppression systems. If you don’t have one, it needs to be a priority. Since the Oct 7th attack against Israel, many protestors are targeting churches and synagogues for acts of violence like this.
Officials Seek Clues After Beaufort County Church Was Intentionally Set on Fire
Beaufort County officials are investigating a fire that severely damaged the sanctuary of Bethany Global Methodist Church in Belhaven on May 15. Authorities have determined that the fire was set intentionally and are seeking information from the public to identify the perpetrator. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 252-974-6400 or submit an anonymous tip through the Crime Stoppers app. Read more.
PROPERTY CRIME
Mother Mary Statue Returned to St. Boniface Church
A Mother Mary statue taken from St. Boniface Church in Greene Township, Pennsylvania, over the weekend was returned undamaged on Wednesday afternoon. The Pennsylvania State Police reported the statue was stolen on Saturday morning and identified the suspect through surveillance footage, which showed a man leaving the church with the statue. The images were released to the media, prompting the man to return the statue after news of the theft spread. Although the statue is back, no criminal charges had been filed as of Thursday morning. Read more.
Theft at Well Community Church in Clovis, CA
Two individuals were arrested following a theft at Well Community Church in Clovis, California, where over $15,000 worth of construction equipment was stolen. The suspects, aged 47 and 35, allegedly broke into the church early Friday morning and stole various items including lighting, tools, and paint. Clovis Police, using technology to locate the stolen property, executed a search warrant at a Fresno residence, recovering all the stolen items. The suspects were charged with felony burglary, conspiracy, and possession of stolen property, while a third person at the residence was arrested on an unrelated warrant.
MISC STORIES
First Amendment ‘Auditors’ on the Street Once Again
Thousand Oaks resident James Bond recently encountered a First Amendment auditor filming outside Newbury Park’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Initially mistaken for a student, the man was recording church members and their license plates. These auditors, who often provoke fear and conflict, claim to exercise their First Amendment rights by filming in public spaces. Despite police involvement, such actions are legally permissible. Ventura County Sheriff's Office advises not to engage with them to reduce confrontations and the potential for viral content. Read more.
Law enforcement has been dealing with these people for over a decade. I have personally run into them before. Just ignore them and let them exercise their 1A rights. The worst thing you can do is talk to them. That’s what they want. You will only feed into their views on social media and they will edit it to make you look foolish. Personally, I think they are drama queens looking for attention. Look at them as a toddler having a temper tantrum. Just ignore them and let them scream. They’ll stop and move on to someone that will feed their need for attention.
FOLLOW UP STORIES
Arrest Made After Warning Shot Incident Near Nashville Church
Sean Aring, 41, was arrested for reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon after allegedly firing a shot during a confrontation with volunteers at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Nashville, Tennessee. The incident occurred as the volunteers were directing traffic for evening mass. Aring, who was walking his dog, yelled obscenities at the volunteers and then fired a shot into the ground. A volunteer responded by shooting a round into the pavement, causing Aring to flee. He has since been arrested and released.
Man Arrested in Robbery that Led to South Memphis Pastor Being Shot in Face
R'shunio Greer, 19, was arrested for his involvement in a robbery that resulted in Pastor Clemmie Livingston being shot in the face at his South Memphis church on February 25, 2024. The incident occurred when suspects attempted to steal a 2019 Corvette from the church parking lot. Greer, who admitted to driving a black Camaro away from the scene, was identified through photos on his phone. He faces charges of aggravated robbery and theft of property. Read more.
INTERNATIONAL
US Missionaries Killed in Haiti Amid Gang Violence
Three US missionaries from the Oklahoma-based organization Missions in Haiti were killed by a gang in Port-au-Prince. Davy and Natalie Lloyd, along with Mission director Jude Montis, were ambushed after leaving a youth event at their church. They sought refuge but were fatally shot when the gang attacked the building. The US Ambassador to Haiti is expediting the repatriation of their bodies. This incident underscores the severe security crisis in Haiti, where gangs control significant areas, leading to heightened violence. Read more.
If you are a missionary, going on a mission, etc, I recommend you read up on the concept of Escape and Evasion. There are a number of military manuals and open source information on this. Have a map on you always that can give you directions to a safe house or the nearest consulate, mission or embassy. If you’re gut tells you you are in danger, it’s time to go and not rationalize your predicament.
14 Catholics Killed in Democratic Republic of Congo After Refusing to Convert to Islam
Pope Francis condemned the recent killing of 14 Catholics in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who were slain by the ISIS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces in North Kivu after refusing to convert to Islam. The pope praised their martyrdom, highlighting their steadfast faith despite the threat to their lives. The Allied Democratic Forces also attacked the Christian village of Ndimo, executing 11 Christians and burning houses. The local bishop, Melchisedec Paluku, urged the DRC government to enhance counterterrorism efforts to protect civilians from such violence. Read more.
Christian Family Attacked by Angry Mob in Pakistan
A Christian family in Sargodha, Pakistan, was violently attacked on May 25th by a mob following false accusations of blasphemy. Nazir Gill Masih, who owns a shoe factory, was brutally beaten, and his home and business were destroyed. The attack is believed to be motivated by business rivalry and personal disputes. Archbishop Joseph Arshad of Islamabad-Rawalpindi condemned the violence and called for stricter policies against extremist actions to protect religious minorities. Masih remains in critical condition in the hospital. Read more.
Escape the Wolf by Clint Emerson would be good reading for missionaries.
ORANGE ALERT INDEED!