BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WKRN) – Police in Kentucky have launched an investigation after a man was stabbed by his son during a church service.
It happened Sunday just before 11 a.m. at the Hillvue Heights Church on 3219 Nashville Road.
Jen Goolesby was among hundreds inside the church praying during altar call.
“It was just unreal, it was very surreal. You don’t think anything like this would happen in church,” Goolesby said.
Officials say the suspect, 21-year-old Ethan Buckley, stabbed his father during the worship service.
“I saw he was choking him and had him under and in a matter of seconds he pulled the knife out and started stabbing him,” Madison Shea explained, adding she called 911.
She continued, “At least five, five or six times. I was at least far enough away that I didn’t get blood on me. There were some people in the congregation who had to go home with blood on them.”
While it was a frightening situation, Shea and her mother told News 2 the congregation jumped into action, and that their pastor tackled the suspect while a church member pulled out his concealed weapon.
“Literally had the situation under control within five minutes thanks to concealed permits,” Goolesby said, adding she was proud of her church.
The victim was taken to the Medical Center at Bowling Green for treatment. His condition was not immediately known.
Buckley was booked into the Warren County Regional Jail and charged with assault first degree domestic violence.
The church released the following statement about the incident, “This morning at the conclusion of our 9:30 a.m. service there was a domestic altercation between a son and his father. It’s an isolated incident and without reservation, it was taken under control by our staff, security and law enforcement. We ask for your prayers for this family.”