Prosecutor: Priest pointed gun at boy, may be linked to NFL rivalry
LITTLE FERRY, NJ -- Prosecutors say a New Jersey priest was arrested after witnesses claim he threatened a boy with a musket before Mass last month, possibly concerning an NFL football rivalry, reports CBS New York.
The Rev. Kevin Carter,a priest at the St. Margaret of Cortona Roman Catholic Church, is accused of pointing an unloaded -- but fully functional -- musket at the 8-year-old. The alleged incident could stem from a football rivalry, according to the station.
A prosecutor says that on Sept. 13, Carter asked the boy, who had just arrived for Mass with his family, to step into one of the rectory's rooms and stand against a wall. When he did, the priest allegedly pointed the gun at the child.
County Prosecutor John Molinelli said Carter, a New York Giants fan, and the boy, who roots for the Dallas Cowboys, were talking about football shortly before the incident occurred. The two NFL teams were scheduled to play each other that night.
Molinelli told reporters on Saturday that he didn't consider pointing a gun at someone -- especially little kids -- to be a joke.
Several parishioners had been standing outside the room and witnessed the incident, according to CBS New York. One witness later reported what they had seen to the Archdiocese of Newark, and religious officials soon notified the prosecutor's office.
A search of the rectory turned up the musket along with gun powder, ammunition and other items related to the firearm, according the prosecutor's office.
Carter was later charged with endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated assault by pointing a firearm, according to CBS New York. He was reportedly released Saturday after posting $15,000 cash bail.