He entered armed with a tactical rifle.
A 25-year-old man, Russell Alan Ragsdale, faces federal firearm charges after reportedly trying to enter a Texas church while armed with a tactical rifle. Ragsdale was apprehended on November 22, 2023, and appeared in court the following Monday. According to court records, the incident took place on November 2, when Ragsdale entered a church in the Dallas area during a Mass attended by approximately 100 people. After the service ended, he allegedly retrieved a rifle from his vehicle, closed the church parking lot gates, and attempted to re-enter the building around 5:35 p.m. However, he was unable to gain access as parishioners had locked the doors.
Investigators also linked Ragsdale to a previous shooting incident. In February 2022, he was arrested for the felony murder of his roommate in Seagoville, a suburb of Dallas. While the charges were later dropped, Ragsdale claimed that he shot his roommate in self-defense after being attacked. During his arrest, police found three firearms, including a Glock 10mm and an AR-15, as well as hallucinogenic mushrooms. Evidence also revealed that Ragsdale had been involved in drug use, including the purchase of mushrooms earlier that year.
Ragsdale’s firearm charges stem from his documented history of drug use, which legally prevents him from possessing firearms. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in federal prison. Authorities have not disclosed the specific church involved in the incident.
The case also brings attention to Texas’ firearm laws regarding places of worship. A 2019 law allows people to carry handguns in churches, a policy enacted after the 2017 shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs. In contrast, a church in New York has filed a lawsuit against a law that prohibits guns in places of worship, sparking ongoing debates about security and firearm regulations.
Ragsdale’s arrest underscores the broader concerns about access to firearms, church safety, and the potential dangers posed by individuals with violent and drug-related backgrounds. The outcome of this case could influence future discussions on firearm laws and security measures in religious settings.