Sheriff: Man crashes into Ocala church
Accused of trying to set building ablaze
A driver who crashed through the front doors of an occupied Florida church and then set the building on fire was in custody Saturday afternoon after a car chase.
The Ocala Sheriff’s Office said deputies apprehended the suspect, 24-year-old Steven Shields, after the incident in the Marion County city about 80 miles northwest of Orlando.
Shields is being held at the Marion County Jail without bond on charges of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree arson, burglary with assault and eluding law enforcement.
Marion County Fire Rescue responded to a 911 call and arrived at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 6455 SW State Road 200, by 7:40 a.m. Saturday, according to the department. The Sheriff ’s Office said Shields intentionally drove into the church’s front doors and poured gasoline in the church’s foyer before setting it on fire.
Although people were inside the church, no one was injured, the agency said. The male suspect “then led deputies on a vehicle chase and was soon captured” after a deputy performed an immobilization maneuver with his patrol car, according to its statement.
“We praise God that no one was injured,” read a short statement from the Diocese of Orlando, which oversees the church. “We join in prayer for Father O’Doherty, the parishioners of Queen of Peace Catholic Church, our first responders and the gentleman who caused this damage.”
The Rev. Patrick J. O’Doherty has been pastor of Queen of Peace since 1987, according to the website. The diocese said Masses would resume as scheduled, beginning Saturday evening, in the parish hall.