Fears spread in churches after girl accused of mayhem plot

ATLANTA (AP) — A bishop in a historically black denomination is urging hundreds of churches to lock their doors during services after police said a white 16-year-old girl collected several kitchen knives as part of a methodically planned attack on black churchgoers.

The plot in north Georgia came to light when Gainesville High School students told administrators the girl had a notebook with detailed plans to ambush worshippers at predominantly black Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, police said.

Her plan was to attack a small group as they worshipped, Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish told reporters. He said he believes she wanted to gain notoriety.

Bethel is in the same denomination as Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where a 2015 mass shooting left nine black church members dead. That denominational link played a role in the Georgia investigation, Gainesville police Cpl. Jessica Van said Wednesday.

A prominent church leader also took note of it.

“I do have a concern that AME churches are being targeted,” said Bishop Reginald Jackson, whose district includes the Gainesville church.

Jackson on Wednesday was preparing to send memos to the more than 500 AME congregations in Georgia with one recommendation that reflects the heightened threats of the times: “When they start the service, they need to make sure that all the doors are locked,” he said.

He said he plans to send similar messages to other AME bishops across the country, urging them to enhance security.

AME churches may draw the ire of white supremacists not only because of their demographics, but also because their leaders have traditionally been outspoken on social justice issues, Jackson said. Those strong stands can put them at odds with extremists.

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