On Sunday, Wesley Memorial Methodist Church in High Point, North Carolina, could have become a part of an expanding group: churches targeted for violent attack, vandalism and protests. Thanks to an observant and quick-thinking individual and an off-duty cop, this attack was thwarted.
A Thomasville man faces multiple charges, including having a weapon of mass destruction, after bringing a flamethrower to a High Point church on Sunday, according to a High Point Police Department news release.
At 10:15 a.m., High Point 911 got a call about an armed person sitting in a truck in the parking lot of Wesley Memorial Methodist Church on Chestnut Drive.
The caller said the man had a gun and was wearing camouflage clothing. An off-duty officer who was working at the church then responded to the parking lot. Additional officers arrived, disarmed the man, later identified as William S. Milliken III, 44, of Thomasville, and took him into custody.
At the time of his arrest, he was wearing a plate carrier, which is a type of body armor.
What in the world?! What mayhem did Milliken have planned? Was he targeting someone specific or did he just want to cause as much destruction as possible? From what was found on him after the arrest (see below), that last inquiry is a good supposition.
Sunday Sanctuary No More: Are Church Attacks Becoming the New Normal?
Thank God for that observant person who followed the directive that, "If you see something, say something," and called 911. Thank God for that off-duty cop who was also on top of it. That is the only reason Milliken was stopped before he could enact his plan, whatever that might have been.
When police searched Milliken's truck, here is what they uncovered.
- More than 500 rounds of ammunition
- CO2-powered launcher designed to resemble a handgun
- Two flamethrowers
- Two crossbows
- Rolls of black duct tape
- Three knives
- Oxycodone pills
Milliken has been charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction, impersonating law enforcement, and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, among other charges yet to be determined. According to reports, Milliken suffers from mental health issues.
Ya think?!
WATCH:
The other item found in Milliken's truck was even more chilling than his arsenal of weaponry. According to court documents, Milliken also had a notebook listing the addresses of other churches and schools.
The Standing for Freedom Center detailed some disturbing facts on violence directed at U.S. churches.
According to Family Research Council, between 2018 and 2024, there have been 1,384 documented hostile acts against churches in America, including vandalism, arson, firebombings, bomb threats, and shootings. This represents an eight-fold increase from just five years prior. But for those with eyes to see, this surge was never a matter of if but when.
Standing for Freedom advocates that part of the pastor's role of shepherd is protection. This means providing armed and trained security for their worship services. Tragically, we live in a day and time where individuals, anarchists, and others motivated by anti-Christian sentiment seek out and target houses of worship, sometimes because they know they have a soft target.
At my church, not only do we have the city's police presence, but we have a security team AND our parking lot folks directing and monitoring. They take their role of safeguarding the flock seriously, understanding that just because we all love Jesus and are there to worship together and enjoy each other, there are evil people and agents whose sole aim is to bring destruction, chaos and destroy the sanctuary and sanctity of the worship service. Tragically, many of them relish the opportunity to do so.
For this High Point, NC, congregation and those others places Milliken had listed, he wanted to be that agent of chaos.
Editor’s Note: The American people overwhelmingly support President Trump’s law and order agenda.
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