A North Carolina man was apprehended outside a church in High Point, reportedly armed with crossbows, two flamethrowers, and a substantial amount of ammunition, according to law enforcement officials.
The High Point Police Department issued a press release detailing that on a recent Sunday, a 911 call was placed to report an “armed person sitting in the parking lot” of Wesley Memorial Church in High Point, North Carolina.
The caller provided a description of the man, identified as William S. Milliken III, 44, noting he was armed with a gun and dressed in camouflage attire.
Swift Police Response
An off-duty officer who was present at the church quickly identified the suspect. Within minutes, additional officers arrived, and Milliken was taken into custody without incident.
Following Milliken's arrest, officers conducted a search of his truck. Inside, they discovered two flamethrowers, two crossbows, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, several rolls of black duct tape, three knives, oxycodone pills, and a carbon dioxide-powered launcher designed to resemble a handgun, police stated.
Court documents further allege that the suspect possessed a notebook containing addresses of churches, schools, and various public buildings, along with GPS coordinates. Also found were body armor, radios equipped with police scanners, handcuff keys, and an enlarged map of North Carolina.
Charges and Detention
Milliken III faces charges including possession of a weapon of mass destruction, impersonating a law enforcement officer, and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.
He is currently being held at the Guilford County Jail, with his bond set at $250,000.
High Point Police Chief Curtis Cheeks III expressed his gratitude for the officers' prompt and effective response, emphasizing that the suspect was stopped before any harm could occur.
“Thanks to the quick action of our officers, a man armed with weapons was taken into custody before anyone was hurt,” Chief Cheeks stated. “The officers prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating and helped ensure everyone attending church services could return home safely.”
