A man was apprehended in Wyoming after allegedly making threats against multiple churches in Utah, officials said. Keith Barber, who might also use the name "Troy Hire," had reportedly called 911 expressing a desire to harm Catholics, and was detained the following day in Lyman, Wyoming, according to Cottonwood Heights Police Department. Barber was described as being in the midst of an "unknown mental crisis" and was deemed "armed and dangerous" when authorities issued a warning to the public to keep a safe distance.
The Cottonwood Heights Police Department had announced their search for Barber after he was accused of brandishing a knife outside a Catholic church and also making violent threats toward a local LDS church, as reported by ABC4. This prompted an "Attempt To Locate" alert before Barber was ultimately taken into custody by police forces outside of Utah, the urgency of the manhunt underscored by his reported possession of a deadly weapon.
Following his capture, local authorities emphasized not to approach, attempt to apprehend or follow Barber citing his potentially hazardous condition. "Barber was experiencing an 'unknown mental crisis'", the Cottonwood Heights Police Department said, as outlined by KUTV.
The situation came to an end when Barber was located by law enforcement, "Barber was taken into police custody somewhere in Wyoming," as per KSL. Specific details of Barber's capture, or the current state of his mental health, were not immediately disclosed, but the successful apprehension has likely allayed community concerns surrounding the safety of the churches targeted in the threats.
