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Prosecutors have unveiled alarming details about a 20-year-old man, Brian Girardot Jr., who was allegedly planning “a violent incident” when he attempted to bring a loaded firearm into a Sacramento Catholic church on Ash Wednesday. Handwritten notes found in his possession referenced suicide and threats, painting a concerning picture of his intentions.
The incident unfolded on the morning of February 18, when Girardot dropped off a younger relative at St. Mary Parish School. Shortly thereafter, he returned to the premises with a gun. According to a federal indictment released on Thursday, Girardot, a former student of the school, tried to access the church during an all-school Mass.
Handwritten notes referencing suicide and threats reveal a 20-year-old was preparing for “a violent incident” when he tried to bring a loaded gun into a Sacramento Catholic church on Ash Wednesday, prosecutors say. St. Mary Parish/Facebook
His plans were thwarted by the quick thinking of a vigilant parent observer. This individual, who was also an off-duty police officer, noticed Girardot’s suspicious approach towards the church entrance and took immediate action to disarm and detain him, as confirmed by a statement from St. Mary Parish.
Further investigation revealed that Girardot had additional ammunition and a camouflage jacket stored in his vehicle, which was parked in proximity to the church. These findings were included in the federal indictment, underscoring the seriousness of the threat posed by Girardot’s actions.
Additional ammunition and a camouflage jacket was found in Girardot’s vehicle that was parked nearby the church, according to the indictment.
On the morning of February 18, Brian Girardot Jr. dropped off his younger relative at St. Mary Parish School before retuning shortly after with a gun, according to a federal indictment filed on Thursday. St. Mary Parish/Facebook
“Thanks to the vigilance and professionalism of our parent volunteers, our children remained safely inside the church for the duration of Mass and a potential crisis was averted,” the school said.
“No students came into contact with the man, and were unaware of the situation happening outside.”
Law enforcement searched Girardot’s home where they found a stack of handwritten notes in his bedroom that contained references to suicide and threats, the indictment said.
“All of you are the reason I’ve done this,” read one of the notes that was addressed to three relatives, according to CBS News.
Prosecutors told the outlet that the notes, in addition to other evidence, show Girardot was engaged in “preparations for a violent incident.”
Girardot was charged with possessing a firearm within a school zone, US Attorney Eric Grant announced on Thursday.
He was also charged criminally in state court, according to the indictment.
If convicted, Girardot faces a maximum prison sentence of five years
Source: NewsFinale | Read the Full Story…
