Man throws firework into Divine Child chapel in Dearborn during prayer service

Explosive burns bible; no parishioners injured

DEARBORN, Mich. – A man was arrested Friday for walking into the Divine Child Church Wednesday and throwing a firework into the chapel while a prayer service was taking place, Dearborn police said.

Police were called to the church around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, where the explosive had burned a Bible, but no parishioners were hurt.

Investigators found a commercial-grade firework in the chapel.

You can see video of the man walking into the church and the firework exploding inside the chapel here:

Witnesses said a white man in his 30s or 40s, with short, dark hair, threw the firework and drove away in a newer-model Cadillac four-door with silver rims. The Cadillac had multiple stickers on the back window and rear bumper, police said.

The man was taken into custody just after 5 p.m. Friday, Dearborn police announced.

The man is believed to be responsible for several similar incidents in Dearborn the last few weeks, police said.

"This assailant terrorized the parishioners inside a house of worship with a total disregard for their safety," Dearborn police Chief Ronald Haddad said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Dearborn police at 313-943-2241 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

Stay with ClickOnDetroit.com for updates.


About the Author:

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.