DRZinn
Member
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/church-members-gang-2308847-colyar-car
Pastor says gang members vandalized church
Police are investigating Friday night incident at Majesty Christian Fellowship.
By RACHANEE SRISAVASDI
The Orange County Register
Police are investigating a reported assault of a Christian pastor who said gang members followed him and members of his family to his church Friday, and then threw rocks at a church member's car and into the church's office – while they hid inside.
Pastor Willie Holmes – a founder of International Non-Denominational Assemblies and the Majesty Christian Fellowship in Fullerton 14 years ago – said Saturday that he feared the youths were planning to murder them.
“Last night, I slept here. I didn't want anyone to break in,'' said Holmes, 41, sitting a few feet away from shards of glass in the office. “And for the first time in my life, I thought about buying a gun. I thought, maybe I need a gun to protect my family.”
The vandalism reportedly happened at the church and its offices, at 431 S. Richman Ave., around 10:22 p.m. Friday, Fullerton police Lt. Craig Brower said. He declined to comment on the church members' account, but did say it is an ongoing gang-related probe and that no one has been arrested.
Holmes and other church officials, though, alerted media to the incident. On Saturday, reporters and camera crews were stationed in the church's parking lot while Holmes described the attack.
Around 10:15 p.m. Friday, Holmes said, he was driving on Valencia Street near South Richman Avenue when the youths, who he said were not provoked, started to follow his car. Holmes was in the car with his two sons, and two other church members.
One of the male youths threw a beer bottle at the car, and then the group followed Holmes to the church. The youths then headed toward the car, forcing them to flee into the church office, Holmes said.
The youths kept yelling at them to come out, said Taylar Hagan, a church member who also was with Holmes. “We thought we would be safe to go into the church,'' Hagan said.
But the youths, according to the Holmes, then threw rocks through the glass doors of the office, shattering two windows. One of the rocks hit Holmes on his hip, but his injuries did not require hospitalization.
The youths then left, he said. Police – who were called three times during the incident – responded to the scene.
Holmes said there is gang activity in the neighborhood, and that youths had never before confronted churchgoers or vandalized the church.
Holmes is involved in Orange County community events, and is a past organizer of the Black History Month Parade, which was discontinued this year. His church – which draws 100 to 400 congregants – also gives out food to the needy on a weekly basis and conducts youth mentorship and after-school programs.
Holmes estimated the damage at $10,000 to $15,000. A framed photo of Jesus leaned against the damaged front of the office. The car he was driving also had broken windows.
“We live in the same neighborhood. Why would they do this?'' said Holmes, who resides in Corona, while giving a television interview. “We love the people. This never should have happened.''
After the news conference, people gathered at the scene started singing the noted civil rights hymn ‘'We Shall Overcome.” Holmes said the church will continue to have its services Sunday, followed by a march against gang violence.
Contact the writer: 714-834-3773 or [email protected]
For those unfamiliar with the geography, Fullerton is northern Orange County, almost LA county.
Pastor says gang members vandalized church
Police are investigating Friday night incident at Majesty Christian Fellowship.
By RACHANEE SRISAVASDI
The Orange County Register
Police are investigating a reported assault of a Christian pastor who said gang members followed him and members of his family to his church Friday, and then threw rocks at a church member's car and into the church's office – while they hid inside.
Pastor Willie Holmes – a founder of International Non-Denominational Assemblies and the Majesty Christian Fellowship in Fullerton 14 years ago – said Saturday that he feared the youths were planning to murder them.
“Last night, I slept here. I didn't want anyone to break in,'' said Holmes, 41, sitting a few feet away from shards of glass in the office. “And for the first time in my life, I thought about buying a gun. I thought, maybe I need a gun to protect my family.”
The vandalism reportedly happened at the church and its offices, at 431 S. Richman Ave., around 10:22 p.m. Friday, Fullerton police Lt. Craig Brower said. He declined to comment on the church members' account, but did say it is an ongoing gang-related probe and that no one has been arrested.
Holmes and other church officials, though, alerted media to the incident. On Saturday, reporters and camera crews were stationed in the church's parking lot while Holmes described the attack.
Around 10:15 p.m. Friday, Holmes said, he was driving on Valencia Street near South Richman Avenue when the youths, who he said were not provoked, started to follow his car. Holmes was in the car with his two sons, and two other church members.
One of the male youths threw a beer bottle at the car, and then the group followed Holmes to the church. The youths then headed toward the car, forcing them to flee into the church office, Holmes said.
The youths kept yelling at them to come out, said Taylar Hagan, a church member who also was with Holmes. “We thought we would be safe to go into the church,'' Hagan said.
But the youths, according to the Holmes, then threw rocks through the glass doors of the office, shattering two windows. One of the rocks hit Holmes on his hip, but his injuries did not require hospitalization.
The youths then left, he said. Police – who were called three times during the incident – responded to the scene.
Holmes said there is gang activity in the neighborhood, and that youths had never before confronted churchgoers or vandalized the church.
Holmes is involved in Orange County community events, and is a past organizer of the Black History Month Parade, which was discontinued this year. His church – which draws 100 to 400 congregants – also gives out food to the needy on a weekly basis and conducts youth mentorship and after-school programs.
Holmes estimated the damage at $10,000 to $15,000. A framed photo of Jesus leaned against the damaged front of the office. The car he was driving also had broken windows.
“We live in the same neighborhood. Why would they do this?'' said Holmes, who resides in Corona, while giving a television interview. “We love the people. This never should have happened.''
After the news conference, people gathered at the scene started singing the noted civil rights hymn ‘'We Shall Overcome.” Holmes said the church will continue to have its services Sunday, followed by a march against gang violence.
Contact the writer: 714-834-3773 or [email protected]
For those unfamiliar with the geography, Fullerton is northern Orange County, almost LA county.
