A Sacramento police detective attending an Ash Wednesday Mass intervened after discovering an armed individual trying to enter a church on a school campus.

According to the Sacramento Police Department, the detective was off duty and serving as a parent observer at St. Mary Parish School on the 1300 block of 58th Street. Police said the church and school share the same campus.

During the service, the detective noticed someone approach the church and request entry. After speaking with the individual, the detective located a handgun and removed it, authorities said. He then detained the person until on-duty officers arrived.

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Police identified the suspect as 20-year-old Brian Girardot of Sacramento. He was booked on a felony charge of possession of a firearm at a school.

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