Three people were injured in a stabbing incident inside a church in Chantilly VA. Witnesses say a man drove up to the entrance and ran inside where he entered a Bible study class and stabbed the pastor. Two congregants rushed to aid the pastor, with one receiving wounds requiring medical attention.
Fairfax county chief of police, Edwin C. Roessler, who was in attendance, was also injured while taking the suspect into custody. The names of the other two victims have not been released at this time. None of the injuries appear to be life threatening.
A pastor at the church issued the following statement:
Greetings,
Today, in a routine church educational setting, one of our pastors was assaulted by an attendee. Two church members came to the pastor’s aid and valiantly risked their own lives to defend him. In the process, one of our members was injured. The pastor and one of the members are being treated at Reston Hospital for non life-threatening injuries. The other member involved sustained injuries that did not require medical attention. The assailant was taken into captivity at the scene.
We are in prayer for all the injured. We are grateful for the courage exhibited that prevented worse from happening. Lastly, we want to thank the broader community for their outpouring of concern and support in this time.
In Him,
Brett Fuller
Pastor, Grace Covenant Church-gracecov.org
Chaplain, Washington NFL Franchise
The incident is under investigation. No information about the suspect has been released at this point.