Category: News affecting the Church

Police in the U.S. say vandal has targeted churches in the same Colorado community since November

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

Police in the U.S. are looking for a man caught on surveillance video who they say is responsible for vandalism at churches in the Lakewood, Colorado area.

Some congregations say their church buildings have targeted by the man multiple times since February, but police in Colorado say the first reports came in February 2021. Congregations who have filed reports include the Self Realization Church, St Paul’s Community Church, Lakewood United Methodist Church, Lakewood First Church, and New Life in Christ Church.

Police have not released a possible motive behind the vandalism.

U.S.: Teen remains in custody following South Carolina church fire

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

A minor accused of making a video of himself setting a South Carolina church on fire will remain in juvenile jail pending a competency hearing.

The teen, whose name is not released because of his age, appeared before the York County Family Court Tuesday. He’s accused of causing at least $40,000 damage in May to the Catawba Chapel AME Zion Church. He is charged with second-degree arson, malicious damage to a house of worship, Larceny, and burglary.

The fire was investigated by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations and local sheriff’s deputies. Officials have not said what they believe the teen’s motive was for setting the fire.

U.S. Congregation cleaning up after third act of vandalism

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

A congregation in Kingston, Tennessee has endured broken windows, food marked for feeding the hungry damaged and other destruction of property caused by vandals who targeted their church building three times since May.

The most recent incident at the Church of God Open Arms Fellowship happened August 13. A news release from the Kingston, Tennessee Police Department says, “A person or persons broke into the church and vandalized the building each time. A substantial amount damage was done to the church.”

A church member said the congregation installed surveillance cameras following the first break-in.  Police are now reviewing video from those cameras.

Catholic school in U.S. hit by vandals twice in three days as administrators prepare for new school year

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

DAVID INGRAM

UPDATE: Media in the U.S. report an arrest has been made in this case. CLICK HERE for an update from The Washington Post.

ORIGINAL STORY POSTED AUGUST 16, 2022:

A Catholic school in the United States has been targeted by vandals twice in the same week.

The latest vandalism at St. Anthony Catholic School in Washington D.C. was discovered Friday. Police in the U.S. say someone ransacked the principal’s office and stole an amount of cash. Statues at the school were destroyed as well. The same school received damage from Criminals on Sunday who damaged a statue of St. Anthony and shattered a window.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help pay for the damaged caused by the criminals. The organizer described the damage, Our beautiful St. Anthony statue was knocked down and broken, the nearby concrete windowsill was broken, and the statue’s head is missing. Our three playground benches were also pulled out of the ground and damaged. This desecration is a hate-crime and was reported to the police.”

RELATED: Principal calls vandalism at Catholic school in Washington ‘a hate crime’

St. Anthony Catholic School has been a part of its local community since 1922 and is preparing to celebrate its 100th year.

LOCAL MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE VANDALISM

Gunman targets US church building twice in same week

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

Police in the United States are investigating two incidents in which someone fired shots at a Catholic Church building.

The first incident happened August 6 and the second on August 8. Someone fired shots at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church building in Adams County, Colorado.  This is near the city of Denver.  No injuries were reported in either incident.

Security video from one of the shootings shows shots fired at the church by a person on a motorcycle.

The criminal, or criminals, responsible have not made their motive for the shooting known.