Conway, Arkansas – A man was taken into custody Sunday afternoon after allegedly threatening to shoot up a church in Conway, authorities reported. The Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at New Bethel Church on Old Military Road at approximately 11:37 a.m. on November 16 regarding a threat made by Anthony Perkins against the church and its congregation.
According to law enforcement, members of the church attempted to subdue Perkins until deputies could arrive. However, Perkins fled into his home adjacent to the church, prompting deputies to establish a perimeter around the residence and close the nearby roadway to traffic. The situation prompted the activation of the Faulkner County Special Response team, who began negotiations with Perkins to secure a peaceful resolution.
Negotiators were ultimately successful, and Perkins exited his home and was taken into custody around 1:50 p.m. without further incident. “The Faulkner County Special Response began attempting to negotiate with Perkins and were successful, getting him to come out of his residence and be taken into custody without incident,” officials said.
After his arrest, Perkins exhibited disruptive behavior while in a patrol vehicle, reportedly hitting his head against the cage. Authorities called Pafford Medical Services to assess his condition before transporting him to the Faulkner County Detention Center. Once the evaluation was complete, Perkins was booked and remains in custody facing a serious charge.
Perkins has been charged with Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree, which is classified as a Class D Felony under Arkansas law. The charge carries significant legal consequences if convicted. Law enforcement emphasized that the arrest was handled carefully to ensure the safety of both the public and the suspect.
The incident drew concern from the local community, highlighting the importance of rapid response and crisis negotiation in preventing potential tragedies. Faulkner County deputies and special response teams worked together to maintain control of the scene and protect residents and churchgoers.
No injuries were reported during the incident, and authorities confirmed that the situation was resolved without harm to members of the church or deputies. The Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Perkins’ threat.
This case serves as a reminder to the community of the vigilance required to address threats of violence and the critical role of law enforcement in handling potentially dangerous situations. Authorities are asking anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office to aid in the ongoing investigation.
The community remains on alert, and church officials are working with local law enforcement to ensure that security measures are maintained to prevent any future threats.
