Two people, including a pastor, are stabbed during the Bible study at the Virginia church, where members of the quick-thinking congregation and the local police chief shot down the assailant.
- Two people were stabbed during a Bible study session at Grace Covenant Church in Chantilly, Virginia, on Saturday afternoon
- Chance Harrison, 32, a suspected church member, entered the scene and stabbed the pastor “without provocation.”
- Two church members, one of them Fairfax County Sheriff Ed Roessler, defended the pastor and subdued Harrison.
- On Sunday, he was charged with two counts of aggravated malicious injury, one count of felony assault against a police officer, and misdemeanor assault.
- Police have not released a motive behind the stabbing
A pastor and member of the Grace Covenant Church were stabbed Saturday afternoon during a Bible study when alleged congregation member Chance Harrison, 32, (above) entered the scene and stabbed the pastor “without provocation.” .
A pastor was stabbed during a Bible study session in a Virginia church, but was saved by members of the quick-thinking congregation.
The horrific attack took place around 3 pm Saturday at Grace Covenant Church in Chantilly, Virginia, located some 25 miles west of Washington DC during a Bible study class.
Chance Harrison, 32, a suspected church member, entered the scene and stabbed the pastor “without provocation.”
Two church members, one of them Fairfax County Sheriff Ed Roessler, jumped to the pastor’s defense and subdued Harrison.
In the confrontation, the pastor was stabbed and a man who intervened was also stabbed. Roessler also suffered minor injuries during the confrontation.
“He did his part in the moment,” said a witness about the pastor’s defense of Roessler to ABC News.
‘Sometimes we cannot avoid injuries. I know people were injured, but it could have been worse I think. I think it could have been much worse. There are many emotions, but I have faith that everything will be fine, ” added the witness.
The incident took place at Grace Covenant Church in Chantilly, Virginia, on Saturday around 3 pm Harrison was subdued by church members and taken into police custody.
Investigators said a knife Harrison believed was used was recovered at the scene, according to WJLA.
Police have not released a motive behind the stabbing.
Church attendees say the congregation was holding a special class and member Bible study on the day of the attack for people who wanted to become members of the church or simply wanted to strengthen their faith.
Fairfax County Sheriff Ed Roessler was one of the church members who defended the pastor and subdued the assailant.
‘People are very kind and very kind, especially the pastor. It is very scary. This does not have to happen in the church. This is my congregation and I am very sad, ‘a church member told WUSA9.
Following the incident, Brett Fuller, another pastor of Grace Covenant Church and chaplain of the NFL franchise in Washington, DC released a statement saying, “Today, in a routine church educational setting, one of our pastors was assaulted by an assistant. “
‘Two members of the church came to the pastor’s aid and bravely risked their own lives to defend him. In the process, one of our members was injured. … The assailant was taken captive to the scene. ‘
He added: ‘We are in prayer for all the wounded. We are grateful for the courage displayed that prevented something worse from happening. ‘
Two people were treated for non-serious, life-threatening injuries at Reston Hospital and the suspect was detained.
Police portrayed the scene of the stabbing on Saturday afternoon
On Sunday, Harrison was charged with two counts of aggravated malicious injury, one count of serious assault on a police officer and one count of misdemeanor assault.
Police say he is being held without bond.
Fairfax County Police are asking anyone with additional information to call the department’s Office of Major Crimes at 703-246-7800
.
