71-Year-Old Woman Attacked While Practicing Organ at Church, Police Say
Nov 18, 2018, 11:01 PM | Updated: 11:02 pm
CENTERVILLE, Utah – Police in Davis County are on the hunt for a suspect who’s accused of assaulting a 71-year-old woman inside a church building while she was practicing the organ.
Authorities say the incident took place between 9 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 270 N. 300 East in Centerville.
They say all the doors were locked but that didn’t stop the attacker from getting inside the building.
Several people who attend church there, were surprised to hear the news.
“One of the reasons we live here in Centerville is we feel like we’re in a safe community,” said Stephanie Finlinson. “I was shocked, wondering why the news would be here at our church.”
“It’s weird to think about,” said Sydney Dorrance. “It’s the kind of stuff that only happens in movies.”
Even police can’t comprehend how something like this could happen.
“Why would somebody attack an innocent 71-year-old female in a church playing the organ?” said Lt. Zan Robison.
Lt. Robinson says the woman was alone in the building when the attack occurred. She reported that she heard someone loudly banging on a door outside. She told police she ignored it, but about 30 minutes later, someone came up behind her while she was playing and started choking her.
“She did lose consciousness at one point so it was very difficult for her to try to fight somebody off,” said Lt. Robison.
Investigators say even though the church was locked, the suspect got in by throwing a rock through a window.
But they still don’t know why he/she did it.
“We’re still trying to look at what the motive is in this,” said Lt. Robison. “This is just a bizarre case.”
Police say the attacker is still out there, but everyone hope they’re caught soon.
“I can’t think of how they could live with themselves, why they would do that,” said Finlinson. “To pick a church and a vulnerable elderly adult. It’s scary. We need to find them.”
Authorities say the woman is expected to be okay.
They are asking anyone who saw or heard anything out of the ordinary Saturday night to give them a call at 801-292-8441.
