(High Point, NC) Officers Arrest Armed Man in Church Parking Lot

High Point NC ^ | 29 June 2026 | High Point (NC) Police

[WhiteHatBobby0701]

OFFICERS ARREST ARMED MAN IN CHURCH PARKING LOT HIGH POINT, N.C. (June 29, 2026) – Officers with the High Point Police Department’s Patrol Division arrested a man outside of a church who had a launcher resembling a handgun, flame throwers and more than 500 rounds of ammunition. The situation unfolded during Sunday morning services. Officers responded within minutes and arrested the man without incident. No one was hurt.

Yesterday at about 10:15 a.m., High Point 911 received a call about an armed person sitting in a truck in the parking lot of Wesley Memorial Church (1225 Chestnut Drive). The caller said the man had a gun and was wearing camouflage clothing.

An off-duty officer who was working at the church immediately responded to the parking lot. Additional officers arrived within a few minutes. The officers disarmed the man and took him into custody without incident.

Officers arrested and charged William S. Milliken III, 44, of Thomasville. At the time of his arrest, he was wearing a plate carrier, which is a type of body armor. Milliken’s charges include possession of weapon of mass destruction, impersonation of law enforcement officer, and possession of control substance schedule II.

After his arrest, officers searched Milliken’s truck and found several weapons and items including:

 CO2-powered launcher, designed to resemble a handgun

 Two flame throwers

 Two crossbows

 More than 500 rounds of ammunition

 Rolls of black duct tape

 Three knives

 Oxycodone pills

“Thanks to the quick action of our officers, a man armed with weapons was taken into custody before anyone was hurt,” said Chief Curtis Cheeks III. “The officers prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating and helped ensure everyone attending church services could return home safely.

We also want to thank the community members who recognized a potential danger and had the courage to speak up. As we work to keep High Point safe, it is crucial that we continue to look out for each other.”

Milliken is currently in the Guilford County Jail (High Point).

Case Report Number(s): 2026-17287

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TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: attack; church; globalmethodist; isitthemyogi; itsalwaysthem; noneedtolook; themagain; yesbooboo

[WhiteHatBobby0701]

WUSA Washington's local networks noted: "Court documents show law enforcement also found a notebook with addresses of churches, schools and public buildings, radios with police scanners, GPD coordinates, body armor, handcuff keys and an enlarged map of the state."

The church left the UMC in 2023 over their schism.

[AppyPappy]

If you ever want to go to redneck heaven, the Oak Hollow Boat Drags in High Point are your ticket.

[BenLurkin]

Looks like a shopping list.

[MrBambaLaMamba]

Why carry ammo but no Firearms? Was he waiting on a friend?

[Silentgypsy]

I draw the line at bringing my flamethrowers to church.

[thinden]

What was his gender at birth?

[Libloather]

Water cannons could’ve taken care of all this.