Armed man in custody after disturbance at Phoenix church
AVONDALE, AZ July 30 2018 A man is accused of carrying multiple weapons into a west Valley church and getting into an altercation with police.
On July 22, an off-duty Avondale police officer activated an emergency beacon requesting assistance at the Christ’s Church of the Valley near Avondale Boulevard and McDowell Road.
Police say 41-year-old Corey Stephen Konoski entered the church foyer just after service carrying a backpack with a machete, ax, multiple knives and a camo-colored BB gun.
Konoski allegedly began yelling and swearing at a church pastor and demanded a place to stay. The pastor offered him some food, but Konoski untied a string that was holding a knife around his neck.
Another pastor and church security stepped in and requested Konoski leave the church, court documents said.
When he refused, the off-duty uniformed Avondale officer stepped in.
Konoski allegedly tried to head-butt the officer but was taken down by an off-duty Phoenix police officer.
The officers and others scuffled with Konoski before they could handcuff and remove him.
Konoski, who police say has a history of violent actions, has been charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct.
