Fists flew inside a church in Lakewood, Washingtonย last weekendย as a confrontation on the altar turned physical.
In a video that has since gone viral, a man can be seen disrupting the mass and approaching the altar, before the priest backs off as other churchgoers come to his defense. From there, a few fists flyย as parishioners join forces to drag the man off the altar and out of the church.ย
Local station KIRO reportsย the man was served a notice of trespass earlier in the month, and was told heโd be arrested if he decided to return.
โThe events leading up to this unfortunate incident began last month,โย Father Paul Brunet wrote in a letter addressingย the incident. โAfter an initial pastoral appointment with (name redacted), his behavior has worsened and become less predictable. He has engaged in a course of abusive and threatening conduct, directed not just at me but towards the parish and school staff.โ
Brunet continued, โUnder the circumstances, the parish and school had no other choice but to obtain a โNo Trespassโ order from the Lakewood Police Department against (name redacted). He chose to disregard this order when he appeared at Mass yesterday.โ
Brunet went on to say thatย the church will beย working with policeย and a security company to ensure the safety of parishioners going forward.
โThe safety of the children, parishioners and staff are our top priority,โ Brunet added. โThe parish and school are working closely with the Lakewood Police department, the Lakewood City Attorney and private security to maintain extra safety precautions. Please join me in praying for all who were involved in or witnessed this incident and be assured of my prayers for all of you.โ
