Prosecutors have revealed that a 20-year-old man’s handwritten notes about suicide and threats indicated he was planning “a violent incident” when he attempted to carry a loaded firearm into a Sacramento Catholic church on Ash Wednesday.
On February 18, Brian Girardot Jr. initially dropped off a younger family member at St. Mary Parish School. Shortly afterward, he returned armed, as outlined in a federal indictment released on Thursday.
Girardot, who previously attended the school, tried to access the church during a Mass attended by the entire school.
His plans were thwarted when an observant parent, who was also an off-duty police officer, noticed a “suspicious male adult” approaching the church entrance and took immediate action, detaining Girardot, according to a statement from St. Mary Parish.
The indictment further states that Girardot’s vehicle, parked close to the church, contained additional ammunition and a camouflage jacket.
The school expressed gratitude, stating, “Thanks to the watchfulness and professionalism of our parent volunteers, our students remained safe inside the church throughout the Mass, and a potential disaster was prevented.”
“No students came into contact with the man, and were unaware of the situation happening outside.”
Law enforcement searched Girardot’s home where they found a stack of handwritten notes in his bedroom that contained references to suicide and threats, the indictment said.
“All of you are the reason I’ve done this,” read one of the notes that was addressed to three relatives, according to CBS News.
Prosecutors told the outlet that the notes, in addition to other evidence, show Girardot was engaged in “preparations for a violent incident.”
Girardot was charged with possessing a firearm within a school zone, US Attorney Eric Grant announced on Thursday.
He was also charged criminally in state court, according to the indictment.
If convicted, Girardot faces a maximum prison sentence of five years
