Popular Virginia Pastor Stabbed by Son in Domestic Altercation
Dave Janney, the popular pastor of Purcellville Baptist Church in Purcellville, Virginia, is expected to make a full recovery after he was stabbed by his 19-year-old son, Jonathan, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and his church.
"We are happy to report that Pastor Dave Janney is continuing in stable condition and we are thanking God for the miracle that he is expected to make a full recovery. We recognize that the nature of the event is concerning and brings many questions. We cannot share more details at this time as the investigation is ongoing. We will provide more updates as we are able," wrote the church's elders and pastors in a statement Tuesday.
"It is our main focus to love and minister to him and his family in order to help bring full healing and recovery. We ask that you pray for them during this difficult time," they added.
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Janney, who has been the senior pastor at Purcellville Baptist Church for more than 20 years, has also served as chaplain for the Purcellville Police Department for many years, according to a WUSA 9 report.
The stabbing happened around 3:30 p.m Monday, according to police. Janney's teenage daughter called 911 and two Purcellville police officers arrived minutes before rescue crews, and might have saved his life by stopping the bleeding.
"I was so thankful our officers were trained in medic kits to take care of him on the scene," Purcellville Police Chief Cynthia McAlister told WUSA 9.
Police initially found the knife used to stab the pastor in his home but Jonathan was on the lam. Nearby schools were reportedly on lockdown for a short time until police spotted the teenager walking on E Street in Purcellville. McAlister said he did not run or try to hide.
"He's not known to be a kid of violence. This was a total unknown for us. Are there issues? Obviously. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of them, and the court system can help turn this around for them," McAlister said.
A mugshot of Jonathan, released by the sheriff's office, shows marks on his face from an apparent struggle. He has been charged with aggravated malicious wounding and is being held at the Loudoun County Detention Center without bond.
Chief McAlister told WUSA 9 that the two officers who responded to the stabbing needed some decompression time because they know the pastor.
"He's always been there for us. I'm glad we were there for him yesterday, for sure," McAlister said.
The stabbing prompted an outpouring of love and support through deliveries of flowers and messages from friends and well-wishers to the pastor's home.
"It's very disturbing. We love him so," Vickie Leigh, a member of Leesburg Baptist Church who knows Janney, said.
Janney and his wife, Pam, have three children, according to the church's website, which he describes as "miracles."
"Joshua, Jon and Suzy, our three children, are miracles," he said.
Church leaders have also thanked the church and wider community for their support.
"We want to thank our church family, the community, ministry partners, and friends for their overwhelming outpouring of love for our pastor, his family, and our church. It has been a wonderful picture of the Body of Christ at work and the beautiful community we live in," they noted in a statement.
