The heroic actions of a local pastor and several of his parishioners saved a church from further violence this afternoon. Dezire Baganda, 26, was sitting at the front of the Nashville Light Mission Pentecostal Church on 930 West Trinity Lane when he pulled out a gun and walked up to the alter where the pastor was praying with several members.
Baganda told everyone to get up while he waved and pointed the handgun at the congregation. The pastor quickly tackled Baganda before any shots were fired. Several church members jumped in to assist in disarming Baganda and holding him to the ground until officers arrived on scene.
While Baganda was not a member of the church, the pastor said he had attended services before.
Baganda is charged this afternoon with 15 counts of felony aggravated assault. Multiple counts are expected to be added at the first of the week.
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