As nearly 500 people prayed inside Olivet Lutheran Church on Sunday, a man in his pickup truck in the church parking lot took his life, ABC affiliate WDAY/WDAY TV reports.
The incident occurred at the Fargo, North Dakota, church after police received a call regarding a suicidal man with a gun in the parking lot of the church.
“He was threatening to harm himself and at that point our officers set up a perimeter and tried to establish communication with him,” Fargo police Lt. Jason Nelson told WDAY/WDAY TV.
Out of concern for public safety, police closed off streets around the church and evacuated the area. Police made various attempts to dissuade the man, but he shot himself.
“We utilized as many of our resources as we could to have a different outcome, but unfortunately it didn’t have the outcome we wanted,” Nelson said.
In a statement posted on social media, church officials said the tragedy occurred as hundreds of people inside the church prayed for the unidentified man. Church officials said the man was not a member of the church.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue for his family and all affected,” church officials said. “Many thanks go out to local police, firefighters and first responders. We are fortunate to live in a community with first class service personnel. We gathered (Sunday) on All Saint’s Day, a time to remember all who have gone before us and trust in God’s promises. Please continue to pray for the family of the deceased, and trust he is in Almighty God’s eternal arms.”
In a follow-up comment posted Monday, Senior Pastor Jeff Sandgren thanked his congregation for their prayers for the man.
“God bless you and all of those touched by this tragedy,” Sandgren wrote. “Know that God’s grace is something that you, and everyone, can count on in the face of despair. Please continue to pray for peace for all who are struggling with the ramifications of this event. God’s blessings!”
A recent LifeWay Research poll found most Americans believe they are seeing an epidemic of suicide in the United States. The survey of 1,000 Americans found 36 percent have had a friend or relative commit suicide, and 56 percent describe suicide as an epidemic in the U.S.
“Americans are responding with compassion to a tragedy that touches many families,” LifeWay Research Vice President Scott McConnell said.
For many years, suicide and mental illness have been taboo topics in churches. But more pastors are speaking to their congregations today, including Pastor Rick Warren, who has spoken publicly about the suicide of his son Matthew, and church leader Frank Page, who released a book about his daughter Melissa’s suicide.
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