HOLTS SUMMIT, MO (KMOX) - Arrests have been made in last week's vandalism at a historic Black church in central Missouri.
The Callaway County Sheriff says four boys, ages 14 to 16, were arrested and turned over to juvenile authorities.
All four are from the Jefferson City-Holts Summit area.
They're suspected of causing over $50,000 damage to the Mount Vernon Missionary Bapstist Church in Holts Summit, early last Wednesday morning. They're charged with felony burglary and property damage.
The sheriff says more arrests are possible. There's no word on a motive.
Walls were kicked out, pews pulled up, the pulpit destroyed, bathroom fixtures destroyed, chairs thrown through windows, gunshots were fired throughout and a fire was started, says Pastor Gordon Coleman of Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in Holts Summit, Mo.
The 153-year-old church has been vandalized several times before, but this was the worst it's ever been with signs of real "rage" according to Coleman. He says they'll step up security measures for his churches.
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