A peaceful prayer service at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in Spokane, Washington, turned into chaos Tuesday night when a man attacked a priest during a gathering attended by hundreds of worshippers. Security footage captured the shocking moment when 40-year-old Joshua James Sommers left his pew and rushed the altar, where he allegedly attempted to strike Rev. David Gaines. The incident occurred during a novena, a nine-day prayer tradition, with approximately 400 people present.
Sommers reportedly tried to punch Gaines, who managed to pin him to the ground while remaining calm, repeatedly telling the attacker, “It’s OK, just calm down.” Other church staff and congregants quickly rushed to assist, and security guards restrained the suspect until police arrived. Gaines was unharmed, and the Spokane Police Department confirmed that Sommers was arrested shortly afterward. Officers later cleared the scene, with crime scene tape enclosing the area where the attack occurred.
Father Darrin Connall, who was kneeling at the altar during the attack, expressed the shock felt by the congregation. “All of us were pretty shaken,” he said. “You don’t expect to see something like that when you’re gathering together to pray and worship.” Despite the frightening incident, the congregation paused their service to pray for the attacker once he was escorted from the premises. “Whatever demons he was struggling with needed to be healed,” Connell added, highlighting the church’s message of compassion and forgiveness.
Sommers, who has a history of violent behavior, was charged with misdemeanor assault. In 2023, he was charged with third-degree assault after attacking an employee at a mental health facility, where he was receiving treatment. During that incident, he allegedly punched the employee multiple times and stole their keys in an attempt to escape. Sommers appeared in court Wednesday to face both the new assault charges and an outstanding warrant related to the previous attack. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court later this month.
The incident has raised concerns about security at places of worship, as violence in religious spaces has become an increasing issue nationwide. However, the Spokane church community is responding with resilience, emphasizing unity and faith in the face of adversity. Parishioners have expressed gratitude for Rev. Gaines’ calm handling of the situation and the swift response by security personnel. One churchgoer described the scene as terrifying but praised the congregation for coming together to protect one another.
The Spokane Police Department has confirmed that it is collaborating with church officials to improve security for future services. While authorities have not disclosed any motive behind the attack, they indicated that the investigation is ongoing. Church leaders, meanwhile, are urging the congregation to remain committed to their faith and to continue attending services in solidarity.
For many in Spokane’s faith community, the attack underscored the importance of compassion and grace. “Our strength lies in our ability to forgive and to continue our mission of peace,” Father Connall said. He and other leaders are encouraging parishioners to attend future services as a show of unity and resilience.
As preparations continue for the next novena gathering, churchgoers are determined to move forward and support one another through this challenging time. “This won’t shake our faith,” said one parishioner. The Spokane Diocese is also exploring additional security measures to ensure the safety of worshippers while preserving the welcoming nature of the church. For now, the community remains focused on recovery and healing, hopeful that their collective response will foster strength and unity in the days ahead.
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