Yep, that is crime scene tape blocking the exit from our church this morning. Last night, a 16-year-old boy who had been reported missing on Friday was spotted by a deputy sheriff at a carnival just up the street. The kid took off, the officer pursued him to our church property where there was some sort of altercation. It's believed that the kid got the officer's gun and shot him in the chest and face, then took off into the woods behind our church. A massive manhunt led to his capture about an hour later. The officer was wearing a bullet proof vest and survived, his wounds not life threatening. The runaway survived in spite of being chased by most of the police officers in Central North Carolina. Every week, our church ends service with a prayer for our military since we are a church that's about 75% military. But, a few years ago, they added first responders into that prayer. This could have ended very differently, so we consider that answered prayers. This morning, there were two questions on everyone's minds. 1. How is the officer? 2. Why was this kid so desperate to leave home that he would do something like this to keep from going back? Please send them your prayers, if you would.
