Jones added, “[It was] quite a shock. Several people had interacted with the fellow, the alleged assailant, several times during the day and found him to be a pleasant person, an easy person to talk to.”
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While Jones expressed his desire for safety, the church is not going to sacrifice compassion.
“I’m sure we’ll be cautious, but I am certain we still want to be helpful,” Jones said. “I can’t imagine—even the fellow who was stabbed—not trying to help the next person who comes along.”
Jones reported that the victim is recovering.
Jones told ChurchLeaders that although the church’s safety procedures seemed to have been effective in this instance, church leadership is “going to review the event and see what else could be done to prevent (or at least minimize) such events in the future.”
“Our church has also offered to help anyone affected by the situation (including those directly involved in the incident, those who witnessed the situation after the attack, and any who find their anxiety level increasing),” Jones said.
Jones also told ChurchLeaders that while church members are shaken by the incident, “the overwhelming reaction is prayer support for the victim, the person in custody, and for the rest of the church.”
Hill is being held in Jackson County on a $100,000 bond.
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This article has been updated to include remarks from Dr. Dale Jones.
