Upset after the service, he refused to leave. Two off-duty deputies were in the room.

Authorities say a 66-year-old man became upset after a worship service at a Latter-day Saints church, shouted profanities and refused to leave, then grabbed a person around the neck and kicked people, including an off-duty deputy, as he was escorted out. Young children were nearby. He faces four misdemeanor charges.

Gallatin, MissouriOctober 11, 20262 min read

What happened

Around 11:40 a.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2026, a man became upset after a worship service at a Latter-day Saints church on Ash Street in Gallatin, Missouri, according to a probable cause statement from the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office reported by KTTN. Investigators say he shouted profanities and refused requests to leave.

Two off-duty deputies were at the church. According to the sheriff’s office, the man threatened to hit one of them, then grabbed another person around the neck and tried to put them in a headlock. While he was being escorted out of the building, investigators say he resisted, tried to strike churchgoers and kicked two people, including an off-duty officer. Investigators noted young children were nearby. The sheriff’s office sent deputies to assist.

The 66-year-old man from nearby Jameson is charged with two counts of fourth-degree assault, disrupting a house of worship and first-degree trespassing, KTTN and KCHI reported. KTTN reported he pleaded not guilty and that the court barred him from church property and from contacting the alleged victims. The charges are allegations.

What safety teams can take from it

Trouble can start after the service ends. The closing minutes and the time in the lobby are busy and relaxed. Keep your team in place until people have left.
Have a plan for “please leave.” Decide who asks, how many people go with them, and at what point you call 911. A calm, short request with a witness nearby works better than a crowd.
Move the children first. Kids were nearby here. When someone escalates, one team member’s only job should be getting children and vulnerable people away.
Escorting someone out is a risk. Most of the alleged assaults here happened during the escort. Avoid going hands-on unless someone is in danger, keep space, and let police take over when they can.
Write it down right away. Clear notes on what was said and done, and who saw it, help police and prosecutors and protect your team.

Sources

Summarized from public news reports. People charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Spot an error? Let us know.

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