ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – Police said a 24-year-old man stabbed four people at a Catholic church in New Mexico as a Sunday mass was nearing its end.
Police spokesman Robert Gibbs said Lawrence Capener jumped over several pews at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church around noon Sunday and walked up to the choir area where he began his attack.
The injuries to the four church-goers weren’t life-threatening. All four were being treated at hospitals.
An off-duty police officer and others at the church subdued Capener and held him down until police arrived.
Some of those who were stabbed were members of the choir.
Gibbs said Capener is now being interviewed by police and is expected to face felony charges.
It’s not yet known whether Capener has an attorney.
Gibbs said investigators didn’t yet know the motive for the stabbings, whether Capener had ties to the victims or whether he regularly attended the church.
Archbishop of Santa Fe Michael Sheehan released a statement saying he was saddened by the attack.
“I pray for all who have been harmed, their families, the parishioners and that nothing like this will ever happen again,” Sheehan said.
The church didn’t immediately return calls seeking comment on Sunday afternoon.
