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Robber Didn't Expect to Find Anyone Armed Inside Church... Boy Was He Wrong

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The weekly Wednesday night Bible study at Chicago’s Maypole Avenue Church of Christ was a little more than half-an-hour old when 24-year-old Kenneth Baines entered the church.

Turns out Baines had no interest in the Bible study.

Instead, he saw another man sitting in the church. Baines allegedly pulled out a gun announced to him that he was going to rob the place.

That other man was a 57-year-old security guard — and he was armed as well.

Shots were fired between the two men, and Baines came out on the losing end.

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Baines was struck several times in the chest. He tried to flee the scene but was arrested about 30 minutes later. He was taken to the hospital and admitted in critical condition.

The security guard, who was not identified, was struck in the arm and was also taken to the hospital in good condition, police said.

The guard had a concealed carry license. No word on how Baines acquired his weapon, considering how strict Chicago’s gun laws are.

“That church never had any trouble, ever. No drug infestation, anything to that nature, no violence,” Sal Brown, who lives near the church, told WLS-TV.

Should violent crimes committed at a church receive additional legal punishment?

“It’s sad. It’s sad it had to go like that,” said neighbor Lisa Smith.

Police have community watch meetings at the church, and it also serves as a polling place on Election Day.

Brown believes the robber was after donations.

“They think the church has money because of the cars that are out there and because of the people that come to the church,” Brown said.

The church’s senior minister, Rev. Gerald Walker, said it’s sad that a church requires armed security.

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“As products of this city (and many long time West Side residents) we know that senseless violence exists,” Walker said in a statement to WMAQ-TV. “What a commentary it is that you have to have armed security to worship the Lord. What does it say when saints are frightened when they come to the house of God?”

Baines was charged with felony counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, attempted robbery armed with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm, police said.

Baines was denied bond during his initial court hearing. He’s due back in court April 27 — if he’s recovered sufficiently from his injuries.

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Scott Kelnhofer is a writer for The Western Journal and Conservative Tribune. A native of Milwaukee, he currently resides in Phoenix.
Scott Kelnhofer is a writer for The Western Journal and Conservative Tribune. He has more than 20 years of experience in print and broadcast journalism. A native of Milwaukee, he has resided in Phoenix since 2012.
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
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English
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Media, Sports, Business Trends




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