Armed Man With Flamethrowers And Ammo Arrested Outside N.C. Church
A 44-year-old man was arrested outside Wesley Memorial Church in High Point, N.C., after police found flamethrowers, crossbows and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in his vehicle.[1]
High Point police arrested William S. Milliken III, 44, in the church parking lot after a 911 report of an armed person on Sunday, June 28, 2026.[1] Officers searching Milliken's truck recovered two flamethrowers, two crossbows, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, three knives, oxycodone pills and a CO2-powered launcher made to look like a handgun.[1] Court documents say officers also found body armor, police scanners, handcuff keys and a notebook with addresses of churches, schools and public buildings and GPS coordinates.[1] Milliken faces charges including possession of a weapon of mass destruction, impersonation of a law enforcement officer and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.[1] He is held on $250,000 bond at the Guilford County Jail.[1]
Social media users and commentators praised the quick 911 response and an off-duty officer for ensuring Milliken never entered the church and no one was hurt. Posts highlighted the notebook listing churches, schools and public buildings and the cache of body armor, duct tape and GPS coordinates as signs of extensive preparation.
The mainstream summary does not mention the extensive preparation indicated by the items found in Milliken's vehicle, such as body armor, duct tape, and GPS coordinates, which suggest a more serious intent than merely possessing weapons. Social media users emphasized that these elements, along with the notebook listing churches and schools, point to a potential mass attack that was thwarted. @libsoftiktok highlighted the significance of these findings, noting their implications for public safety.
Additionally, the summary overlooks the broader context of violence targeting Christian churches in the U.S. A database compiled by criminologists indicates that many hostile acts against places of worship stem from personal grievances or mental health issues, rather than purely ideological motives. This perspective, which includes data showing that 97% of such incidents occur at Christian churches, adds depth to understanding the potential motivations behind Milliken's actions and the growing concerns surrounding safety in these spaces.[2]
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📊 Relevant Data
The High Point Police Department seized more than 440 firearms in 2025 while submitting 660 entries into the National Ballistic Information Network as part of efforts to reduce gun crime.
High Point Police Department social media post on 2025 crime statistics — High Point Police Department (Facebook)
📌 Key Facts
- On Sunday, June 28, 2026, High Point police arrested William S. Milliken III, 44, in the parking lot of Wesley Memorial Church after a 911 report of an armed person.
- A search of Milliken's truck found two flamethrowers, two crossbows, over 500 rounds of ammunition, three knives, oxycodone pills and a CO2-powered launcher designed to look like a handgun.
- Court documents say officers also recovered a notebook with addresses of churches, schools and public buildings, GPS coordinates, body armor, police scanners, handcuff keys and an enlarged North Carolina map.
- Milliken faces charges of possession of a weapon of mass destruction, impersonation of a law enforcement officer and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, and is held on $250,000 bond at Guilford County Jail.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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