NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A man who jumped a playground fence at a Nashville church and ran into the building while children were inside is now facing multiple charges.
Around 11:30 a.m. Friday, Metro Police officers went to Belmont United Methodist Church on Acklen Avenue and located Damian Rucker, 39, on the 3rd floor. He was taken into custody without incident. After jumping the fence, Metro Police said Rucker was able to enter the building as two people opened a door to come outside.
Officers have responded to an aggressor call at Belmont United Methodist Church, which houses a daycare for 50+ kids. A man jumped a fence & entered the bldg. He is in custody. NO ONE INJURED. Reunification site for parents is the post office at 2006 Acklen Ave. pic.twitter.com/X188dpzSsS
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) July 7, 2023
After his arrest, Rucker made a statement saying, “God sent me here to rid the children of evil by blowing this place up and all places of worship to rid children of evil.” He is charged with aggravated criminal trespassing, making a false report of an emergency and making a threat of mass violence. His bond was set at $80,000.
He did not have any weapons when he was arrested, and no one was hurt.
Two of the Metro Police officers who responded to the scene were also some of the first to respond to the shooting at The Covenant School on March 27.
There were 57 students and 19 staff members at the church at the time.
Church employees worked quickly to evacuate students to the post office across the street, and lock down classrooms inside.
Paul Purdue, the Senior Pastor at Belmont United Methodist Church, said leaders at the church had recently participated in training for an active shooter situation and had made safety upgrades to the building. He praised the quick response from Metro Police.
"Police work is awful, tough work," said Purdue. "We are thankful for them being here today."
A spokesperson for Metro Police added that employees at the church also did their part to handle the situation calmly and quickly.
"It was a great outcome for what was a very upsetting several minutes for the students and staff at the school," said Don Aaron, Spokesperson for the Metro Police Department.
