ROCKPORT, Texas \u2014 The Rockport Police Department say they are investigating a man who was arrested Sunday morning after waving a loaded gun outside of St. Peter’s Catholic Church as a service was ending.<\/p>\n
According to the department, officers were dispatched shortly after 10 a.m. to St. Peter\u2019s Church in the 2900 block of FM 1781 for reports of \u201ca man with a gun\u201d in the parking lot. <\/p>\n
Witnesses told officers the man, identified as 45-year-old Anh Nguyen, arrived in a blue pickup, got out and began waving a silver revolver. Rockport Chief of Police, Nathan Anderson, said he was seen \u201cholding it up in the air and holding it down by his side,\u201d and that \u201che had his finger on the trigger as well.\u201d <\/p>\n
Rockport PD urge vigilance after arrest of armed man outside of church<\/p>\n
No threats were heard, but parishioners leaving the service were alarmed.<\/p>\n
Anderson said officers ordered the man to step away from the truck and show his hands, but he did not comply. \u201cHe wasn\u2019t following their orders to get away from the vehicle, and he was refusing to get on the ground,\u201d Anderson said.<\/p>\n
Some churchgoers told officers that Nguyen was familiar with the congregation. Anderson said investigators have not determined how frequently he attended services. <\/p>\n
St. Peter\u2019s Catholic Church pastor Father Tung Tran tells KRIS 6 News he recognized Nguyen and believes he may have been experiencing a mental health crisis. \u201cI know this gentleman,\u201d Tran said. \u201cI think what he has is mental issues. Maybe he wasn\u2019t taking his medication, or his condition got worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anderson added that information provided to officers also suggested that mental health issues may have played a role.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam Beam<\/p>\n
Rockport Chief of Police Nathan Anderson is responding to the rising trend of threats being made towards school districts. Rockport-Fulton ISD had a threat made towards their campuses on September 24, 2025.<\/p>\n
Nguyen is charged with deadly conduct and unlawful possession of a firearm. Anderson said Nguyen has a prior felony conviction, making it illegal for him to have a gun.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the reason that law is on the books, to try and prevent incidences like this from occurring,\u201d Anderson said.<\/p>\n
Investigators are working to determine how Nguyen obtained the revolver. <\/p>\n
No injuries were reported, and Tran added that, \u201cWe\u2019re just thankful nobody got hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anderson encouraged church leaders and congregations to work proactively with law enforcement to improve safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf your church is going to have [armed guardians], you need to make sure that you have good qualified people,\u201d he said, adding that Rockport police regularly assist churches with assessments and safety planning.<\/p>\n
He also urged residents to stay alert and report suspicious behavior. \u201cEverybody needs to be vigilant,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cIf it looks strange, call the non-emergency number, and let us come check it out.\u201d<\/p>\n
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