Memphis church shooting thwarted

August 21, 2019

WNKY Staff,

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(WBBH/NBC News) A Florida truck driver has been arrested after allegedly threatening to carry out a mass shooting a Memphis, Tennessee church.

Thomas McVicker is currently in federal custody in Indianapolis.

According to his arrest affidavit, McVicker told a friend of his plan to do this while taking time off from work in Memphis, Tennessee in a series of text messages. His friend alerted authorities.

“I was thinking about shooting a church up, but I’m afraid how it will affect my family in the flesh after I’m gone,” McVicker said in text messages to his friend. “So, I think I’m just gonna kill some people on the street and get away with it then kill myself.”

He threatened to do this on August 22nd, while taking time off from work, according to the affidavit.

Court documents said McVicker has been in mental hospitals three times and is on medication.