Man Wielding Knife Killed In Church Restroom

Police killed a man in a church restroom during Sunday morning Mass when he lunged at officers with a knife after trying to steal a collection plate, the department said.

The unidentified man was shot once as three officers tried to arrest him at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Lt. Alan Scott said. He said the man’s knife had a 7-inch blade.

None of the 350 worshipers or church employees was injured.

The Rev. John Slattery said he wasn’t aware anything had happened until after the Mass.

“Nobody heard the gunshot. I assume the organ must have been playing,” Slattery said.

Scott said the man grabbed a collection plate after being told to leave for lighting a cigarette during the service.

Ushers wrestled the plate away from the man before he walked out. A worshiper in the back of the church called police on a cellular telephone.

The man later returned and went into the restroom. Scott said several people held the restroom door closed while others alerted officers.