Church Members Take Down Shotgun-Toting Man

South Carolina authorities say a shotgun-toting man kicked in a church door during Sunday services before being disarmed by congregants who saw him coming through the windows.

Church members then locked the doors, police say, and a half-dozen members sprang on 38-year-old Jesse Gates after he burst inside.

Spartanburg County Sheriff’s deputies said no one was hurt Sunday at the Southside Freewill Baptist Church in Boiling Springs.

Deputies charged Gates with burglary, disturbing a place of worship, and attempted kidnapping. The kidnapping charge was lodged because he allegedly pointed his gun at the pastor.

Officers charged 34-year-old Amanda Gates with providing her brother with the shotgun and driving him to church.

Gates told reporters as he was led away in handcuffs that his children had been taken away and he was trying to get someone to listen to him.

article courtesy of Wkyc.com