Post by Pacelli on Jul 12, 2020 12:51:55 GMT -5
www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/florida-man-lights-catholic-church-on-fire-with-parishioners-inside-81945
I don't know this man's motivation in doing this, but more information will come out when his trial starts. I have my suspicions, though, based on recent events in our country.
It seems that the days of being able to go to Church in peace without having to be concerned about being injured or killed may be passing away, along with so much else.
In addition to the article, this statement was put out by the local Sheriff's office explaining what happened:
**UPDATE**
Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies responded to Queen of Peace Catholic Church, located at 6455 SW State Road 200, after receiving reports of someone setting fire to the sanctuary while several parishioners were inside preparing for a morning mass. Arriving deputies learned that the defendant, Steven Anthony Shields (DOB 1/7/1996), had intentionally crashed a vehicle through the front doors of the church, exited the vehicle and poured gasoline out into the foyer area and then lit it on fire. He then left in the vehicle.
Deputy Josue Gonzalez spotted the vehicle leaving the area and gave chase. The defendant fled until Deputy Gonzalez was able to conduct a P.I.T. maneuver (Precision Immobilization Technique) and disable the fleeing vehicle in the 5900 block of South Highway 441, where the defendant was taken into custody.
The parishioners were able to escape without injury and Marion County Fire Rescue personnel were able to quickly extinguish the fire.
Shields has been charged with one count of Attempted Second Degree Murder, evidencing prejudice, a First-Degree Felony; one count of Arson to a Structure (where persons are normally present and which the Defendant had reasonable grounds to believe to be occupied by a human being), evidencing prejudice, a Life Felony; one count of Burglary of an Occupied Structure (with intent to commit a forcible felony, with assault while armed, using a motor vehicle as an instrumentality, and causing damage to the structure in excess of $1,000), while evidencing prejudice, a Life Felony; and one count of Felony Fleeing or Attempting to Elude. He is being held in the Marion County Jail on no bond.
Sheriff Billy Woods said, “Our freedom of worship granted in the Constitution is a freedom that we all hold dear. My deputies and I are sworn to protect that right and will always ensure our citizens can worship in peace. I’m proud of my deputies for capturing this man so quickly and we appreciate the assistance from all of the state and federal agencies that worked alongside of us during this investigation.”
Happening Now
Deputies were called out to the Queen of peace Catholic Church on Southwest Highway 200 after a man drove his vehicle into the front doors and then lit a fire while parishioners were inside. He then led deputies on a vehicle chase and was soon captured. No serious injuries reported at this time. As more information becomes available, it will be released.
I don't know this man's motivation in doing this, but more information will come out when his trial starts. I have my suspicions, though, based on recent events in our country.
It seems that the days of being able to go to Church in peace without having to be concerned about being injured or killed may be passing away, along with so much else.
In addition to the article, this statement was put out by the local Sheriff's office explaining what happened:
**UPDATE**
Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies responded to Queen of Peace Catholic Church, located at 6455 SW State Road 200, after receiving reports of someone setting fire to the sanctuary while several parishioners were inside preparing for a morning mass. Arriving deputies learned that the defendant, Steven Anthony Shields (DOB 1/7/1996), had intentionally crashed a vehicle through the front doors of the church, exited the vehicle and poured gasoline out into the foyer area and then lit it on fire. He then left in the vehicle.
Deputy Josue Gonzalez spotted the vehicle leaving the area and gave chase. The defendant fled until Deputy Gonzalez was able to conduct a P.I.T. maneuver (Precision Immobilization Technique) and disable the fleeing vehicle in the 5900 block of South Highway 441, where the defendant was taken into custody.
The parishioners were able to escape without injury and Marion County Fire Rescue personnel were able to quickly extinguish the fire.
Shields has been charged with one count of Attempted Second Degree Murder, evidencing prejudice, a First-Degree Felony; one count of Arson to a Structure (where persons are normally present and which the Defendant had reasonable grounds to believe to be occupied by a human being), evidencing prejudice, a Life Felony; one count of Burglary of an Occupied Structure (with intent to commit a forcible felony, with assault while armed, using a motor vehicle as an instrumentality, and causing damage to the structure in excess of $1,000), while evidencing prejudice, a Life Felony; and one count of Felony Fleeing or Attempting to Elude. He is being held in the Marion County Jail on no bond.
Sheriff Billy Woods said, “Our freedom of worship granted in the Constitution is a freedom that we all hold dear. My deputies and I are sworn to protect that right and will always ensure our citizens can worship in peace. I’m proud of my deputies for capturing this man so quickly and we appreciate the assistance from all of the state and federal agencies that worked alongside of us during this investigation.”
Happening Now
Deputies were called out to the Queen of peace Catholic Church on Southwest Highway 200 after a man drove his vehicle into the front doors and then lit a fire while parishioners were inside. He then led deputies on a vehicle chase and was soon captured. No serious injuries reported at this time. As more information becomes available, it will be released.