Man armed with rifle and handgun arrested at Easter church service



MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- An armed man is undergoing a mental evaluation after being taken into custody at a Memphis Church Easter morning.

Police said church security saw a man in the church who was armed.

A security guard took him into custody without incident.

Police said 31-year-old Marcus Donald had a loaded 40 caliber Beretta in a pants pocket and a 300 Blackout rifle in his backpack.

Police said Donald told them "people in society are a threat to him and that he must be vigilant."

He was arrested for emergency commitment for a mental evaluation.

It does not appear Donald made any threats toward the church or its congregation.

A Bellevue spokesman sent the following statement:

“A heavily armed man entered our building today about 11:00 a.m. He was stopped by our security people before he could enter the sanctuary, and was subsequently arrested by Memphis Police. We are thankful for the diligence of our security people and the Memphis Police Department.”