The Brief
- A 911 call about a man defacing a church and throwing rocks at cars draws a Sheriff’s Deputy response.
- Upon arrival, the suspect threatens to shoot the deputy and gets arrested.
- In a search, the man is found to be in possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia and bullets.
PINELLAS – The local church can be many things to people: a welcome home for those seeking refuge, a place of worship for the believer, a community for those seeking like-minded Christians. But for some, the local church is a target, a reminder of something from their past. Perhaps that was the case on Monday, July 7th. Law enforcement received a call about a man defacing the Irving Park Baptist Church at 5001 71st Street North in St. Petersburg. Deputies responded to find the suspect still on the scene.
What we know:
It was just after noon on the 7th when Deputy Bryan Beeler arrived at Irving Baptist Church. The 911 call reported a man throwing rocks at cars passing by and actively defacing the church.…