BAD: Pastor stabbed, robbed in own Church (Richmond, VA)

[Holger]

NBC12 News, Weather Sports, Traffic, and Programming Guide for Richmond, VA | Pastor robbed and stabbed in his own church

From NBC12 News

HENRICO, VA (NBC12) - Henrico Police are investigating an attack on a local pastor, inside his own church.

It happened at 8985 Hungry Road.

The pastor was inside the First Freewill Baptist Church, when two men came inside and demanded money.

When the pastor wouldn't give them any, he was beaten and stabbed.

He was rushed to VCU Medical Center and is expected to survive.

The attackers still weren't able to get any valuables and fled the scene.


I know there are lot of preachers on here that carry...good idea.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[archer51]

Contrary to what many sheep believe a church is no safer than your home, or the supermarket or walking down the street. You must be prepared to defend yourself any time, any place!

[jfl]

There are 2 places where you might be attacked:
- places where money is kept/handled.
- places where no money is kept/handled.

There are no "safe" places.

Always carry, you never know ....

[Paco]

Very sad for the "church" as a whole when this kind of crap goes on. One must always be vigilant about their own safety, especially in a soft place like a church where it is perceived that no one will fight back.

[walvord]

Very sad to hear this. Hope they take some positive action to stop this senseless act of violence in the future instead of just forming a circle with candles and singing cum-bay-ah.

[cvhoss]

Too bad he wasn't armed. I guess the BGs are absolutely sure there's no Afterlife. I hope they rot in you know where.

Hoss

[redrick]

The man that taught mine CC class was a Preacher and he OC a Sig 239.

[JOHNSMITH]

The BGs probably thought they would be able to get some offering money.

[Rmac58]

Contrary to what many sheep believe a church is no safer than your home, or the supermarket or walking down the street. You must be prepared to defend yourself any time, any place!

Agreed.
This guy was practicing his next sermon.
Sad.

[concealed]

[RANT ON] As previously mentioned, no where is safe. Soceity has reached a point where every man and woman is for themselves. No regards for others, just a bunch of ME ME ME people out to get whatever they can with doing as little as possible.

Why not rob a church? Most people cannot mention God in school, at work, or anywhere else so people are being led to a belief God does not exist?[RANT OFF]

[DizTbone]

I'll weigh in...since I am a pastor... and since I've been in church when bad things started to happen... I've also read the press about when bad things did happen...like armed men having the children gather wallets at gun-point during a Christmas Eve service in Maryland a few years ago...

In Arkansas, CC is prohibited in a church unless the carrier is a FT LEO or the church has arranged to have an armed security service. The DA in my last hometown is very pro-CC, but is against carry at church... Even so, Arkansas has an affirmative defense for one carrying in one's place of business. He didn't like it, but he did agree that I would be covered under that provision. The DA where I live now may or may not agree.... I need to check.

I obviously have no problem with concealed carry...but I sure would hate to have to take a shot in a crowd... That's not the only issue. In my denomination, the denominational climate is opposed to carry. Most of my colleagues are opposed to carrying anywhere. They are so opposed that when we went to Tulsa for a retreat at a large church, they went nuts when they saw a reserve police officer working security...even with his badge on his belt next to his weapon. We talked about crime stats in that area since I used to live there. They didn't care!!!!!

So... Check your state's laws and your DA's disposition...as well a local and denominational sentiment. Unfortunately, most of being a pastor is about being a politician. I'd rather be alive for everyone to hail as a hero or to condemn (and/or convict) than myself or some innocent person be dead...but I have a good idea of the many probable consequences in my working environment.

If you are a lay person, do everyone a favor and start talking about physical security issues with fellow members and with your church's staff. I thinks such conversations will go better if they begin in the pews and work their way from there. Don't be surprised if the major opposition comes from your pastor(s)!

Prayers for that pastor in VA...

Michael

[Rmac58]

This did not happen during a service, even so, the BG's don't care if it's legal or moral to carry in church, open or concealed.
BTW, they won't be at the service, where they obviously belong.
The congregation doesn't hold a grudge, but wants to save the perpetrator.

[Sky Pilot]

I was Chaplain for fire, police and EMS.
I wore the visible Cross and a 1911, and saw no conflict in it.
I am living a quieter life now that I am older and graying, and I hope most sincerely to find a nearby congregation that welcomes CCW.
Ohio law prohibits carry into any church, synagogue, mosque or place of worship, without permission of said church, synagogue, mosque or place of worship ... so until I find a carry friendly church, I'm on my own.

[Janq]

There are 2 places where you might be attacked:
- places where money is kept/handled.
- places where no money is kept/handled.

There are no "safe" places.

+ .45

- Janq

[packinnova]

Doesn't surprise me in the least. The small church I grew up in as a kid had windows in the sanctuary that were riddled with patched bullet holes(Baltimore). As has already been stated, don't make the mistake of thinking a church is a safe-haven.