Twenty-Eight Bullets Fired Into Local Church & Van

By Jessie Williams

 Macon County Sheriffs Department deputies were dispatched to Calvary Baptist Church last Saturday morning after reports that a window had been shot out of the building.

 

Upon their arrival, authorities discovered one building window containing two bullet holes, a second building window with one bullet hole and a set of double glass doors riddled with eight bullet holes. 

Eight bullet holes were also found on the side of the church building, entering a foyer wall, and two more bullet holes entered into a classroom wall. 

The church van, located on the property, was also vandalized. Four bullets penetrated the side of the vehicle and three more were shot into a window, busting out the window on the opposite side. 

A .22 shell casing was found in the parking lot near the van.

Deputies questioned neighbors regarding gun shots the night before, and one was able to confirm hearing what sounded like gunshots around 11:30 p.m., Fright night. 

The neighbor stated that they didn’t see anything when they looked outside, so they didn’t contact the police. 

Detectives spent the weekend conducted interviews and gathering evidence at the scene. 

“We are taking this crime very seriously,” said Macon County Sheriff Mark Gammons. “We are asking anyone who may have information about this case, or may have seen anything that night, to please contact the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. Callers have the option to remain anonymous.”

Calvary Baptist Church members were saddened and shocked by the news of this heinous crime, but say they are leaning on their faith, and each other, to remain positive about the future.

“We are disappointed that something like this happened,” said Church Secretary Laura Kalista. “But we know that God is in control, and we are not afraid. We know He has a plan. Church members were shocked, and we can’t imagine anybody doing this, but we had a good service on Sunday. We pray that 2019 will be better.”