On Friday, March 22, 2019 a Canadian priest was viciously attacked by a man who approached the stage and quickly moved toward the priest while drawing a large knife from his pocket.
The suspect was able to make the attack as the priest attempted to escape. Both fell to the ground, and the armed man was able to recover quickly and deliver a few more strikes. People from the audience intervened and stopped the man from continuing the attack.
Here is a short video you can share with your church security team.
I’ve been doing church security now for 10 years and my team has done this kind of training, as to what to do if a person goes up on the stage. We also have set up an escape route for our pastor and anyone on the stage in order to get them out of the building. We also have developed a trauma kit and have done training on how to use it. The armed team members also carry an individual trauma kit.
Great Ralph! You guys are good to go. You’ve been around these parts for quite awhile and I’m glad to have you. Thanks, Glen
Good morning Glen and I pray you are well. As advised on here. I carry a TECT Kit. My kit has quick clot, turnikit, nasal gastric for securing a airway.Also in case of CPR an AED is by the pulpit area. I carry a Glock 19 off duty and it’s always with me in service. Because I’m still and active Metropolitan Police officer I give our team our training. I am the only active police officer on our team. We just completed training for response to a Active threat on church property. I thank God for you and this service to keep us abreast of current events. God bless you and if you need anything on the Maryland/Washington DC area don’t hesitate.
Awesome brother. It’s easier to stop the bleeding with the right gear. I will keep you in mind for DC!
Glen,
Great job dissecting this tragic event in Canada! Your response and discussion were on target. The tool belt items will help safety teams understand the necessary equipment that should be readily available.
Mike
Hi Mike, thanks! G
If the church was equipped with a security officer, the minute the perpetrator walk towards the altar security officer should have stopped him before he went on the altar that would have been my game plan.
The hardest part is coming to terms with what is happening. If one thinks it can’t happen here, and then it does, it really takes a bit to respond. The question, “Is this really happening?” wastes precious time. The right mindset is “Oh, it’s finally happening.”
Thank you for this video of a this criminal action by a person inside a place of worship and his use of deadly force against the priest. Also, special thanks for your narrative with the video and congregation reaction and help to stop the criminal act and protect the victim. Your work to keep security team members up to date with real time action and helpful training is great. We had a visitor who came to our church with a gun two Sundays in a row. I spoke to the actor the first Sunday and called the local police department to assist the 2nd Sunday, July 31, 2017. With the Lord’s help and my background in law enforcement, I met the actor/suspect at the church entrance and directed him outside wo where the police were waiting who took him in for questioning. He did have a gun with him in his cargo pants.
Good work Doug!
Thanks for showing this, very clear how a situation can develop quickly and demonstrates how quickly a security team needs to respond.
Hi Jay, half of the battle is having someone in place other than a dude in a red jacket. I’m very thankful he wasn’t hurt, but that guy was determined.