#BreakingNews 1st Communion Mass Interrupted after Teen with a Rifle Attempts to Enter a Crowded Catholic Church - VIDEO

A 1st Communion Mass at a Catholic Church in Abbeville, Louisiana, USA, was interrupted and forced to evacuate. A 16-year-old, armed with a rifle, attempted to enter St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church on Saturday, May 11th, 2024. The Mass was for the First Holy Communion for 60 children. 
Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident and parishioners subdued the teen gunman. A Facebook livestream captured the moment the teen, dressed in black, attempted to enter the church around 10:35 a.m. Saturday.
Approximately 48 minutes into the service, a man approached the celebrant, Rev. Nicholas Dupre to whisper in his ear. The man then indicated with his head toward the front of the church, where the teen attempted to enter.
"I'd like everyone to be seated," Fr. Dupre said on the livestream, "I would like everyone to join me in prayer."

"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee..." the priest led the church-goers in prayer.
Parishioners then began to scream as the priest and another man ducked behind the altar.
"Just get a hold of your child. Go slowly. We did apprehend a young man... Calm down and get next to your child and go slowly," a voice over a speaker said.
Abbeville police and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's deputies responded to the church within a minute, Abbeville Police Chief Mike Hardy said. By the time police arrived, the teen was unarmed and pinned to the ground by multiple parishioners.
The church was evacuated since the teen told police a second shooter was near the building. However, a second shooter could not be found, police said.
The teen did not have a plan, Hardy said. The 16-year-old told police that his girlfriend was inside the church. He planned to intimidate parishioners before he ran away with his girlfriend to Texas.

"I don't think his goal was to shoot people. He was there to intimidate somebody," Hardy said.
STATEMENT from the Parish: First Communion Incident
St Mary Magdalen - All Members
Sat, May 11, 12:47 PM
Dear Parishioners,
This morning, our First Communion ceremony was interrupted when a suspicious person opened the back door. The individual was immediately confronted by parishioners, escorted outside and the police were called. The individual was quickly apprehended by Abbeville Police Department and is in their custody. Once apprehended, law enforcement entered the church to make sure there was no additional danger. This understandably caused panic. While we realize this was a frightening experience for those in attendance, we are incredibly grateful to both parishioners and police officers for acting quickly to ensure the safety of all. Chief Mike Hardy is handling the investigation with cooperation of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s office and assistance from the FBI. Out of an abundance of caution, we will have uniformed law enforcement at all upcoming Masses. We invite First Communicants to receive First Holy Communion at whichever Mass they choose to attend this weekend. We are grateful for all the prayers for our St. Mary Magdalen community.
STATEMENT from the DIOCESE
Diocese of Lafayette Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel thanked the Abbeville police and said that security for all future Masses will be increased.
"We are thankful to God that a tragedy was avoided at the First Communion mass for children of St. Mary Magdalen in Abbeville. The quick response of the Abbeville Police Department and alert parishioners is a great example of caring for the most vulnerable in our community. Let us pray for an end to all threats of violence to innocent human life," Deshotel said in a prepared statement.

Sources: https://www.kadn.com/news/local/abbeville-church-evacuated-during-mass-1-person-taken-into-custody/

https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/crime_police/a-gun-wielding-teen-tried-to-enter-an-abbeville-church/