Water Valley man arrested after firing shots near Anchor Baptist Church

Deputies responded at about 10 a.m. on Sunday to Anchor Baptist Church after receiving reports that a passenger in a silver SUV was shouting at church members in the parking lot and discharging rounds into the air. The man, identified as Christopher Ray Reed, 34, of Water Valley, was taken into custody without incident after deputies located and stopped the vehicle on Highway 7 near University Avenue.

At the scene and during the subsequent stop deputies recovered multiple firearms from the vehicle, including the handgun believed to have been used to fire the shots. Reed appeared to be heavily intoxicated at the time of his arrest. No injuries were reported from the incident. The driver of the vehicle was released without charges after the investigation.

Reed was charged with making a terroristic threat and transported to the Lafayette County Detention Center. He appeared before a Justice Court judge on Monday and was issued a $75,000 bond. At the time of reporting he remained at the detention center awaiting bond to be posted.

For local residents the episode underscores immediate public safety concerns around places of worship and public gatherings. A midday discharge of firearms in a church parking lot can cause panic, disrupt services and require a rapid law enforcement response that draws on county resources. The recovery of multiple weapons and the presence of intoxication at the time of the incident will be material to prosecutors as the case moves through the justice system.

The arrest also highlights operational questions for congregations and civic planners about situational awareness and coordination with law enforcement. While no injuries occurred this time, the event is likely to prompt church leaders to review parking lot access, reporting procedures, and options for deescalation and rapid notification of deputies. For Lafayette County officials the case represents one of the many public safety incidents that factor into budgeting for law enforcement patrols and detention capacity, and it will be followed closely by residents interested in safety at public and religious gatherings.