A 24-year-old man has been charged with attempted second-degree murder and other offenses after allegedly entering a Virginia church armed during a worship service.
Tremonte Smith, a resident of Chesapeake, entered the Divine Church of Deliverance and Transformation Holiness in Suffolk, Virginia, on Sunday. He approached the podium in the sanctuary before being physically subdued by Pastor Brian Outlaw.
The Suffolk Police Department reported that they responded to a call shortly after noon regarding gunshots fired inside the church.
The police stated, “The subject was carrying a firearm and shot one round in the direction of the staff member; however, the staff member was not injured. The subject was detained in the establishment by bystanders in attendance until Suffolk Police arrived. No other injuries were reported.”
The man is facing charges of attempted second-degree murder, firing a weapon inside an occupied building, and using a firearm during the commission of a felony.
In response to the situation, Pastor Outlaw shared a statement on the church’s Facebook page Sunday evening to reassure the community, stating, “I want to assure everyone that the safety and well-being of all involved remain our top priority.”
He expressed gratitude for the prompt actions taken during the incident, asserting, “We are grateful for the swift and appropriate actions taken, and we continue to pray for peace and resolution. Our focus, as a church, is on healing.”
“We understand that there are many emotions and questions, but we ask that, above all, we come together in love and prayer. We believe in the power of God's grace and restoration, and we trust that He is working in the midst of this challenging situation,” he encouraged.
