ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police have identified the 24-year-old man who is accused of stabbing four people at a Catholic church as a Sunday service was nearing its end.
Police spokesman Robert Gibbs says Lawrence Capener is now being interviewed by police and is expected to face felony charges.
It’s not yet known whether Capener has an attorney.
Police say Capener jumped over several pews at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church around noon Sunday and walked up to the choir area where he began his attack.
The injuries to the four church-goers weren’t life-threatening.
All four were being treated at hospitals.
An off-duty police officer and others at the church subdued Capener and held him down until police arrived.
Some of those who were stabbed were members of the choir.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
Police say a man stabbed four people at a Catholic church in Albuquerque as a Sunday mass was nearing its end.
Police spokesman Robert Gibbs says a man in his 20s jumped over several pews at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church around noon Sunday and walked up to the choir area where he began his attack.
The injuries to the four church-goers weren’t life-threatening. All four were being treated at hospitals.
An off-duty police officer and others at the church subdued the attacker and held him down until police arrived.
Some of those who were stabbed were members of the choir.
Gibbs says the attacker is in custody but that police don’t yet know his identity, the motive for the stabbings, whether he had any ties to the victims or whether he regularly attended the church.
The stabbings occurred as the choir had just begun its closing hymns.
Archbishop of Santa Fe Michael Sheehan released a statement saying he was saddened by the attack. “I pray for all who have been harmed, their families, the parishioners and that nothing like this will ever happen again,” Sheehan said.
The church didn’t immediately return calls seeking comment on Sunday afternoon.
Source: Associated Press
