Ambridge man with long gun arrested near church, police say

The church is predominantly African American, "raising concern that the male was attempting to enter the church with a long gun to commit a hate crime"

The church is predominantly African American, "raising concern that the male was attempting to enter the church with a long gun to commit a hate crime"

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The church is predominantly African American, "raising concern that the male was attempting to enter the church with a long gun to commit a hate crime"

A man is in custody after pointing a long gun at two women and attempting to enter a predominantly African American church in Ambridge Monday morning. A search of the suspect's house led police to conclude he was prepared for a standoff with law enforcement.

According to a criminal complaint, police were sent after calls came in just after 9 a.m. that a man was pointing a long gun at two women near the intersection of Duss Avenue and 4th Street. The man was reported to be wearing a camo vest.

A witness told police that the man was attempting to enter the Greater Dominion Church on the corner of 4th Street and Melrose Avenue. The church is predominantly African American, "raising concern that the male was attempting to enter the church with a long gun to commit a hate crime," according to the complaint.

Ambridge police learned from Beaver County Regional police that the suspect was in the 300 block of Merchant Street. He pointed his gun at an officer, who called in backup.

Jeffrey Harris, 38, of Ambridge, was arrested in a business entryway and faces several charges, including aggravated assault and terroristic threats.

Harris had on him a 12-gauge shotgun, 25 shotgun rounds and what was later determined to be crystal meth. He was taken back to Ambridge police headquarters, making "multiple bizarre comments" along the way to officers about a dead brother.

Officers determined that Harris' shotgun had been recently fired.

Police learned that Harris lives in a house in the 300 block of Duss Avenue along with his boyfriend. Neighbors told police that the boyfriend had not been seen in several days.

Entry into the house was difficult, as the porch was smeared with a slippery substance, the complaint said. Police found an empty bottle of a personal lubricant on the porch.

The house "appeared ready for a standoff," the complaint said, including a weapons case with a drilled hole "creating a tactical position from which the occupant would fire at the front door from a protected position."

Police called the Allegheny County bomb squad to the house, where they removed a suspected explosive device.

Crystal meth, ammunition and a notebook with a "handwritten script" for an active shooting were found at the house.

Harris' bond was set at $975,000. Pittsburgh's Action News 4 has reached out to Ambridge police for more information about this case.

This is a developing story. Stay with Pittsburgh's Action News 4 for updates. Download the WTAE mobile app to stay connected with breaking news.