Gunman Threatens New England SDA Church Service
15 September 2024 |
Sabbath services were interrupted at 12:22 pm on Saturday, September 14, the Middletown Dispatch Center was contacted by a Veterans Crisis Line, claiming there was a male on the line saying he was armed with a gun and threatening to shoot congregants at the Middletown Portland (Connecticut) Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church. The man reportedly threatened to open fire on the worshipers before threatening to turn the gun on himself as well.
The Portland Police Department and the Middletown Police Department rushed to the scene to take immediate action and close down the area to avoid any potential fallout. Portland Police K9 Magnus and handler Officer Mike Revicki were deployed, including hostage negotiators.
Fortunately, all 27 members present were evacuated to safety, after which the police swept the area, searching the church until they could confidently identify no active threat.
There have been no casualties and no further information about the identity of the gunman. The police are looking into the caller’s identity and considering this an active and ongoing investigation.
