Police charge two men after they bring concealed gun to church

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CHARLOTTE, N.C.– Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police charged two men after they entered a church with a gun in their backpack.

UPDATE: The two men accused are 27 year old Michael Blake and 16 year old Austin Hannon.  Hannon is scheduled to appear in courts Tuesday.  Blake’s court date hasn’t been set yet.

Police were first called to First Haitian Church of Grace on West Sugar Creek Road at 12 p.m. Sunday in reference to two suspicious men at the church.  

Church officials told police that the two men with a backpack came into the church and asked to speak with someone at the church to pray. Church officials told officers they did not want to disrupt the service so the officers did not speak with the individuals.  The officers left the church but stayed in the area.

At around 1:30 p.m. police were called back to the church in reference to an armed persons call for service.  

Church officials told police that the two men were acting suspicious so they confronted them, asking what was in their backpack.  One of the men then admitted to having a gun in the backpack.  Church leaders took the gun until police arrived.

Police charged the two men with carrying a concealed weapon and transported them to the North Division Team Office to be interviewed.  At this point it does not appear their intent was to harm anyone in the church, police say.  

Anyone with information concerning the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.