SAN DIEGO (KNX) — Attendees at a San Diego funeral service for an 11-year-old boy had to evacuate when a man abruptly interrupted the service by running from and eventually getting arrested by deputies.
Pastor Paul Selvaraj told news outlets the service was for an 11-year-old boy who died of cancer. When he saw the man rushing in with deputies’ right behind him, he said he stopped the service and moved away as attendees ran out.
"I was scared. I didn't know what to do since everybody went out, so I had to move from the altar just to save myself," Selvaraj told NBC 4.
Deputies were able to get a hold of the suspect, identified as 40-year-old Jose Espinoza, and arrested him at the altar.
What Selvaraj didn’t know was that he witnessed the end of a 45-minute deputy chase and the man they arrested had been arrested on a felony arrest for making criminal threats.
The chase started around 10:30 a.m. in Jamul when Espinoza refused to yield for deputies, according to the sheriff’s office.
Espinoza led deputies through multiple neighborhoods before pulling over in front of Most Precious Blood Catholic Church around 11:15 a.m. Deputies chased him inside.
Selvaraj said he felt bad for the family of the boy.
"I feel so embarrassed for the family who were grieving and crying right there in the front pews," Selvaraj told NBC 4.
Espinoza is facing additional charges, including felony evading arrest and disorderly conduct.
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