Detectives Prevent Potential Church Massacre in Sacramento
Off-duty detectives in Sacramento last week acted quickly to avert a possible church massacre.
On Wednesday morning, 20-year-old Brian Girardot Jr. reportedly dropped off younger relatives at St. Mary’s Parish School. He came back around 9:30 a.m., coinciding with an all-school Ash Wednesday Mass occurring at St. Mary’s Catholic Church next door.
According to the school’s principal, Amy Hale, security measures were in place: “All church doors were locked in accordance with standard procedures,” she noted, adding that “parental monitors were stationed outside and inside the church.”
One of these monitors, who was an off-duty detective, approached a suspicious individual claiming he wanted to attend the service. The detective detained the man, and Hale confirmed that a loaded firearm was found concealed on him. Following this, he was held until officers from the Sacramento Police Department arrived.
Hale reassured parents that throughout the mass, their children were safe and did not come into contact with the suspect.
Girardot, a former student of St. Mary’s, was arrested without incident and is facing felony charges for possession of a concealed firearm and carrying a weapon on school property. On Thursday, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant revealed that federal charges for possessing a firearm on school grounds would also be pursued.
Additionally, police reported that they retrieved more ammunition and a camouflage jacket from Girardot’s vehicle parked nearby. A search of his home yielded handwritten notes that allegedly contained threats and references to suicide.
One disturbing note reportedly listed three family members’ names along with a comment directed at them. Another note expressed hostile sentiments, saying, “Fuck suicide notes,” and included a message filled with anger.
The firearm found outside the church was identified as a Taurus Tracker .44 Magnum. Authorities indicated that four other guns were discovered in Girardot’s garage, including a shotgun and a .30-06 rifle.
Currently, Girardot is in custody and is not eligible for bail. He is being held at Sacramento County Main Jail.
The Diocese of Sacramento, including Bishop Jaime Soto and the Catholic Schools Authority, expressed gratitude to the parent monitor for their vigilance, noting the situation was handled safely and without harm to anyone involved. They added a prayer for the safety and peace of the children.
This arrest takes place just months after a tragic incident in which a 23-year-old transgender man opened fire at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, resulting in terrible loss of life.
