By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- William S. Milliken III, 44, was arrested Sunday morning in the parking lot of Wesley Memorial Church in High Point, North Carolina, after arriving armed with multiple weapons including two flamethrowers, two crossbows, and a pepper ball launcher.
- An off-duty police officer working at the church initially confronted Milliken, who falsely identified himself as law enforcement and claimed to be enforcing a smoking violation.
- High Point Police Department officers arrived within minutes, disarmed Milliken, and took him into custody without incident.
- Milliken’s vehicle contained more than 500 rounds of ammunition, body armor, three knives, duct tape, and Oxycodone pills; investigators also recovered a notebook containing addresses of churches, schools, and public buildings.
- Milliken was charged with felony possession of a weapon of mass destruction, misdemeanor impersonating a law enforcement officer, and possession of a controlled substance; authorities have not disclosed a motive or whether Milliken had ties to the congregation.
HIGH POINT, N.C. — William S. Milliken III, 44, was arrested Sunday around 10:15 a.m. in the parking lot of Wesley Memorial Church after arriving armed with multiple weapons while wearing camouflage and body armor.
The discovery was made when someone called 911 to report an armed man sitting in a truck outside the church. An off-duty police officer working at the church confronted Milliken, who falsely identified himself as a law enforcement officer and claimed he was at the church to enforce a smoking violation.
Additional High Point Police Department officers arrived within minutes of being notified. Officers disarmed Milliken and took him into custody without incident.
Police Chief Curtis Cheeks III stated in a news release that the rapid response prevented a potentially dangerous situation. “The officers prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating and helped ensure everyone attending church services could return home safely.”
A search of Milliken’s vehicle revealed extensive weaponry and equipment including two flamethrowers, two crossbows, a CO2-powered launcher designed to resemble a handgun, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, three knives, a pepper ball launcher, rolls of black duct tape, and body armor. Investigators also recovered Oxycodone pills.
Detectives located a notebook in Milliken’s possession containing the addresses of churches, schools, and other public buildings in the community, according to court documents.
Milliken is charged with felony possession of a weapon of mass destruction, misdemeanor impersonating a law enforcement officer, and possession of a controlled substance. Court documents do not specify a motive for Milliken’s actions, and investigators have not disclosed whether he had any connection to Wesley Memorial Church or its congregation.
High Point is located approximately 75 miles northeast of Charlotte, North Carolina.