Newtown Church Evacuated After Threat

A noon mass was being held at St. Rose of Lima Church when police entered the building.

Police gave the "all clear" at St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown after it was evacuated during a noon mass on Sunday due to a threat.

Someone made a very menacing phone call to the church, according to Brian Wallace, a spokesperson for the diocese.

Rev. Luke Suarez was giving the homily around 12:30 p.m. when the church pastor, Monsignor Robert Weiss, interrupted him and told parishioners they had to evacuate.

More than a dozen state troopers armed with assault rifles entered the church and then the church's education center on Church Hill Road, according to NBC Connecticut reporter, Audrey Washington.

Parishioners and news media were told to leave the church property.

It was another heart-stopping incident for the people of Newtown, already dealing with unspeakable grief after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday.

Police gave the all clear around 1:30 p.m.

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