Man drove through church, then lit fire while parishioners were inside, deputies say

OCALA, Fla. — Deputies said they are investigating after a man drove through a church, then lit a fire while parishioners were inside.

Officials said it happened Saturday morning at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church on Southwest Highway 200 in Ocala.

The man, Steven Shields, then led deputies on a vehicle chase and was later captured, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said.

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Investigator said during an interview, Shields admitted to setting the church on fire.

According to a report, Shields said he targeted the church because of a “mission.” He told investigators that he poured gasoline onto the floors and slipped while doing so. He said he then lit his shoe on fire and threw that onto the gasoline.

The report said Shields told deputies that what he did was “awesome” and smiled and laughed while talking about the incident, stating that he was the “king.”

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Investigators said Shields told them he realized his “mission” that morning, and drove to a nearby gas station to purchase the fuel.

Shields said that he is diagnosed with schizophrenia, and currently is not taking his medication, according to deputies.

He was transported to the Marion County Jail. Bail was denied.

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Deputies said no one was seriously injured inside the church.

See map of scene below:

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