Assault rifle discovered hidden inside Atlanta church, police say

Credit: WSBTV.com

Credit: WSBTV.com

Thousands of worshipers are on edge after an assault rifle was discovered Saturday afternoon in the chapel of a Catholic church in Georgia.

Officers were called to Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Peachtree City after someone discovered the weapon hidden under an unattended jacket in the chapel, police wrote in a Facebook post.

"Investigators are working diligently to determine who placed the firearm there and what their intentions may have been," authorities wrote. "As always, we encourage citizens to be aware of their surroundings and report suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately."

A church member told WSB-TV that when she arrived to the building Saturday afternoon for mass, she couldn't get into the parking lot because police had it blocked off.

Investigators said they are interviewing witnesses and looking at surveillance footage.

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