In a startling incident on Sunday morning, a safety team member at Epicenter Church in Burnet, Texas, reportedly fired shots at two male suspects, according to the Burnet County Sheriff's Office. KXAN has reported that the confrontation with the suspects, one of whom was said to have presented a rifle, prompted a response from the church's safety personnel, which in turn led to the suspects fleeing the scene.
Responding to a 9-1-1 call, deputies arrived at the church, located on North U.S. Highway 281, around 10:30 a.m. The safety team member involved allegedly discharged multiple rounds, forcing the suspects to enter a white minivan and drive northbound on US 281. The Burnet County Sheriff's Office, in a pursuit that has not yet yielded results, has called on the public for assistance in locating the minivan and the suspects, who are considered potentially armed and dangerous.
Members of the church, shaken by the incident that unfolded in their place of refuge, expressed gratitude towards the security member whose actions presumably averted further escalation. The church's founder, Kyle Byrd, conveyed to KXAN the community's relief that no one was hurt during the encounter. Sheriff Calvin Boyd confirmed that there were no reported injuries, despite the exchange of gunfire.
Meanwhile, residents like Rolando Rodriguez have been left stunned by the violence that erupted in their otherwise peaceful town. In terms of CBS Austin, Rodriguez, who has spent a large portion of his life in Burnet, including having moved back two years ago, attests to the town's usually tranquil nature and expresses concern about the safety and recurrence of such events.
While the search continues for the suspects, authorities, out of an abundance of caution, have increased patrols around local churches and areas of concern within the community. The Lampasas Police Department, in a statement on Facebook, highlighted the coordination among local law enforcement agencies to maintain heightened alertness and readiness in response to any further incidents. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to reach out to the Burnet County Sheriff's Office at 512-756-8080, as the investigation remains ongoing with assistance from state and federal law enforcement agencies including the FBI.
