LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- A bomb scare sent police rushing to secure two of Louisville's largest churches.
The police report indicates the suspect targeted Southeast Christian Church in the East End and Lampton Baptist Church in Old Louisville because he was upset with both of them.
A random call came in to the Jeffersontown Police Department shortly before noon yesterday.
Police say the man on the other end of the line wasMichael Schad, 67.
Here's a partial transcript of the call:
"Schad:I have an understanding that maybe I put a bomb at Southeast Christian Church and Lampton.
Dispatcher: You put a what at Southeast Christian Church?
Schad: A bomb.
Dispatcher: When did you do that?
Schad: I don't know. I have blackouts."
Schad told the dispatcher he has bi-polar disorder.
His call was transfered to Metrosafe, which dispatches for Louisville Metro Police Department.
Police officers were sent to Southeast Christian Church in the East End and Lampton Baptist Church in Old Louisville, where they searched both buildings.
"They came back out, walked back out, stood for about 30 or 40 minutes. But I didn't see anybody going in or out," said Karroll King, who works near the church. "They were just waiting. Making sure nothing happened. "
"We're trying to provide a safe and secure environment for thousands of people on the weekend and a public day like this, we have a lot of people in and out here," said Southeast Christian Church spokesperson Cindee Coffee.
While police were scoping out the churches, the dispatcher was trying to learn more.
"Dispatcher: Where did you put it at?
Schad: I have no idea.
Dispatcher: When did you put it there?
Schad: I have no idea, sir.
Dispatcher: When did you come to the realization that you did that?
Schad: It just kind of hit me this morning."
Luckily, police didn't find anything at either building.
They traced Schad's call and arrested him at his home in Christian Care Communities low income apartments, which is located one block from Lampton Baptist Church.
Schad attended Southeast Christian Church as recently as last Sunday, said Coffee.
He's also believed to have gone to Lampton Baptist Church for free meals.
"He's just bitter and he just needs some help and making threats toward the church, it's wrong," said Calvin Simmons, who often dines at Lampton.
"They're homeless. They're in need. They're frustrated. They don't have anywhere to go. And I think all those pressures can just build up to where people just want to strike out," said Rodney Caphip, who also frequents Lampton.
"We do want him to get help. We want him to have counseling, advice that he needs and caring people around him," said Coffee. "But you have to balance that against the safety and security of thousands of other people."
We tried to talk to Schad today about his arrest, but he refused our request for an interview.
He's currently being held under a $10,000 bond for Terroristic Threatening.
WHAS11’s Adam Walser has the story. Click on the video player above for more information.
