Footage from inside a Detroit, Michigan, funeral home captured the moment a man allegedly aimed a handgun at a pastor on March 28 and triggered chaos among mourners.
The confrontation took place at New McFall Brothers Funeral Home after Pastor Darthanian Nichols directed attendees to take their seats over fire safety concerns, according to WXYZ. The deceased’s older brother ignored the request and allegedly produced a firearm. The man started yelling obscenities before drawing a gun and pointing it at Nichols while demanding that he stop talking, the pastor alleged on Facebook.
“In my mind, I braced myself for the worst case scenario, which would be to be shot,” Nichols told WXYZ. “Even as he pointed the gun, I don’t believe he was trying to point it. I think it was just more so his emotions, and he was talking with the gun in his hand.” (RELATED: Police Find Disturbing Notes After Gunman Allegedly Attempted To Enter Catholic Church)
Funeral home president Michael Kemp said attendees fled in every direction. “When we put violence in that you’re destroying someone’s last chance to say goodbye,” he said.
Officers already near the funeral home arrested the suspect shortly after, FOX 2 Detroit reported. The man never discharged the gun, police said. Officials may press felonious assault and felony firearm charges against the suspect.
Four additional individuals were later detained on separate weapons offenses, Detroit Police Capt. John Stewart said. He praised Nichols at a press conference. “The pastor — the calm he kept and the way he handled himself — he’s a hero,” Stewart said.
The service honored a 17-year-old who was himself killed with a gun, The Christian Post reported, citing a Detroit youth leader. Stewart said the DPD has increased its presence at funerals due to a growing pattern of firearms-related incidents at funeral homes, according to FOX 2. A shooting outside a Salt Lake City LDS church during a memorial service left two dead and six wounded last January, officials said.
