Jacob Wayne Tarver (45), a safety team member at Church at the Epicenter in Burnet, Texas, is in custody after allegedly “fabricating” a terrorist attack at the church. Tarver now faces felony charges for allegedly staging the church shooting and lying to authorities.
“Do not give in to the unfounded fears that are a result of this false story,” said the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office in a press release. “This falsehood can only be counteracted by the widespread announcement of the truth.”
Jacob Wayne Tarver Faces Felony Charges After Fabricating a Church Shooting
On Sunday morning (Oct. 6), the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call to Church at the Epicenter. The caller requested police, and then the call disconnected. When the police arrived, it was clear that shots had been fired and that the 911 caller, safety team member Tarver, had been the only shooter.
Tarver initially claimed that two suspicious males approached the church, one carrying a rifle. Tarver said that he then fired “multiple rounds,” prompting the men to flee via a white minivan.
After an investigation, the Sheriff’s office said, “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.”
Tarver said he “fabricated significant details of this incident” and had “lied to law enforcement.”
According to local news, Tarver “recklessly fired three shots at a home and pond near the church, then lied to law enforcement about the incident.” Tarver admitted to being “embarrassed” for lying.
Tarver has been arrested and is in custody at the Burnet County Jail. A bond has not yet been set. He has been charged with two felonies (tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and deadly conduct) and a misdemeanor (false report to induce an emergency response).
The Burnet County Sheriff’s Office has pleaded with the public to widely share the truth about this incident in attempt to combat the “rumors and speculation surrounding this case.”
“For those of y’all judging. This man was a well respected man of this community,” commented one person who said she knows the family well. He “lost his daughter in a tragic car accident a few months ago. While it’s not okay he did this, he just sounds like he needs prayers and help.”
Another added, “I’ve known this man for a very long time. He has been a well liked and respected man who ran his own businesses and loved to help people. I can only imagine what he has been through to do something like this.”