UPDATE
Following an investigation, authorities concluded that 45-year-old safety team member, Jacob Wayne Tarver, had fired the shots.
Tarver admitted that he had fabricated significant details and had lied to law enforcement and others about this incident — he has since been arrested and has three charges.
Tarver is at the Burnet County Jail and is awaiting a hearing to set bail.
"There were no hostile actions taken or directed at the church by any persons, and no weapons brandished toward the church or the safety team member — at no time was the safety of the congregation in jeopardy," police said.
ORIGINAL STORY
In a post shared on Facebook, the Bosque County Sheriff's office says a possible attempted shooting was reported at a church in Burnet County on Sunday morning.
The report says two men, armed with a rifle, left the church parking lot in a white van after being approached by security.
The sheriff's office is encouraging church leaders to review their own safety plans.
The social media post by the Bosque County Sheriff's Office reads as follows:
Incident reported in Burnet County.
We have received information regarding a possible attempted shooting at a church in Burnet County this morning. Information provided, states that a church security team member encountered 2 male subjects who were wearing masks in the parking lot of the church. Upon confronting these individuals, one of the men brandished a rifle at which point the security member fired 3 rounds from his weapon. The suspects are reported to have fled the location in a white van.
BCSO deputies routinely patrol church parking lots during services. However, having additional watchful eyes and an alert security team greatly increases the likelihood of possible threats being detected and deterred.
I encourage all church leaders and security teams to review your safety plan and step up security efforts moving forward.
Sheriff Hendricks
