A man pursued by police ran into First United Methodist Church between services in Oak Ridge on Sunday morning, canceling services, according to witnesses and the church. The man was later caught, and no one was injured, the church reported.
There were reports of a large police presence at the church, including Oak Ridge Police Department and Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and the building was reportedly evacuated.
The man ran in as churchgoers were leaving the 10 a.m. service. The 11 a.m. service and Worship on the Lawn at 1 p.m. were both canceled as the building was still being searched and cleared, the church said.
One reader reported that he was holding a church door open for his girlfriend when the man nearly ran over her at the end of the 10 a.m. service.
The church reported later Sunday that the incident had ended peacefully. The fugitive was in police custody, and the church facility was secure, FUMC said.
Oak Ridge Today has requested more information from the Oak Ridge Police Department, and we will update this story as that information becomes available.
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