Man Shoots Himself Outside Church as Members Pray for Him
A man reportedly fatally shot himself in the parking lot of a North Dakota church Sunday morning as fearful congregants prayed for him behind shuttered doors.
According to a WDAY 6 report, the man, whose name was not released by local police, was reportedly spotted in his truck with a gun in the parking lot of Olivet Lutheran Church.
Police received the call about the suicidal man at about 10 a.m. Sunday, which forced authorities to block a number of major roads as a SWAT team attempted to calm him.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"He was threatening to harm himself and at that point our officers set up a perimeter and tried to establish communication with him," Lt. Jason Nelson with Fargo Police told WDAY 6.
Nelson said they shut down a number of roadways out of "fear for public safety."
"It's a Sunday morning near a church, other residents in the area. We didn't know if he had other intentions or anything like that. It's for safety of the public we utilized these resources," he said.
Some 500 parishioners of Olivet were locked inside the edifice praying for the man, as well as for first responders trying to help him, but those efforts simply weren't enough. The man took his life at approximately 11:20 a.m.
"A tragedy occurred at our church this morning. While hundreds inside the building prayed for this individual, a man took his own life in the Olivet parking lot. Our thoughts and prayers continue for his family and all affected. Many thanks go out to local police, firefighters and first responders. We are fortunate to live in a community with first class service personnel," said the church in a message posted to the institution's Facebook page.
"We gathered today on All Saint's Day, a time to remember all who have gone before us and trust in God's promises. Please continue to pray for the family of the deceased, and trust he is in Almighty God's eternal arms," the message continued.
Nelson said, "We utilized as many of our resources as we could to have a different outcome, but unfortunately it didn't have the outcome we wanted."
