NEWTOWN -- A standing room only group of parishioners at St. Rose of Lima Church in Sandy Hook was evacuated during the middle of Sunday's Noon mass because of an unspecified threat.
No further information on the threat was given.
Hundreds of people were sent out of the church about midway through the priest's homily.
Local and state police, including heavily armed officers were at the scene.
A bomb detection team searched the church and state police officials said it appeared to be safe. Officers then regrouped at their vehicles and marched to the parish religious education center, a white colonial-style house set apart from the church. Seven fully armed officers with guns drawn moved into the building in an assault formation, the first officer carrying a shield.
After about 10 minutes of searching the parish education center, the armed and armored officers left the scene, giving the all clear sign after apparently not finding anything.
During the confused exit of hundreds of churchgoers, an elderly woman fainted and fell to the ground in the parking lot. She was being attended to by paramedics.
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TXT 24
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