SC church service disrupted by shotgun-toting man

BOILING SPRINGS, S.C (AP) — South Carolina deputies say a shotgun-toting man kicked in a church door, then disarmed by congregants who saw the armed man coming.

Spartanburg County Sheriff’s deputies say it happened during Sunday services at the Southside Freewill Baptist Church in Boiling Springs.

Deputies charged 38-year-old Jesse Gates with burglary, disturbing a place of worship, and attempted kidnapping. Officers charged 34-year-old Amanda Gates with providing her brother with the shotgun and driving him to church.

Gloria Gates says her son Jesse has been attending the church for a short time. She says daughter didn’t know Jesse’s plans.

Lt. Tony Ivey says congregants spotted Gates approaching across a parking lot and locked the doors. Ivey says when Gates kicked in a side door, a half-dozen members hiding in the wings jumped him.