Alabama man arrested, accused of trying to pull a gun at church after bashing ex-wife

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Authorities arrested an Athens man after police say he attempted to pull a gun from its holster during a church service Sunday.

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Deputies said it happened while Thomas Zebulun Lewter, 34, was speaking at the pulpit during a service at O’Neal Church of Christ. He is charged with making a terrorist threat.

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Lewter approached the pulpit during the service and began to speak about his pending divorce, calling out his wife and father-in-law who were present in the service.

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According to authorities, congregants approached the pulpit and tried to convince Lewter to stop talking and sit down, but he refused. That’s when deputies say Lewter attempted to grab his handgun. Deputies say congregants tackled and restrained him.

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