Lexington Church Locked Down After Reenactor’s Powder Horn Mistaken For Gun

LEXINGTON, MA — What initially was reported as a man with a gun outside a church turned out to be a period reenactor polishing a powder horn, according to police.

Police were called at 3:20 p.m. Friday on a report of a shirtless man with a gun in the parking lot of Grace Chapel at 59 Worthen Road in Lexington.

Police quickly responded and put the building on lockdown. The building had numerous programs going on, including those with children.

Police found the man a short while later. He had been waiting for his wife who works at the church.

"While he was waiting, he was polishing a powder horn, which is a musket-era container in the shape of a bull's horn used to store gunpowder," police said.

The man is an "avid period reenactor." Due to the heat, the man was polishing the horn outside of his vehicle.

Police said security footage corroborated the man's account.

The incident "required a strong police response" which included multiple police cruisers and the closure of the parking lot and nearby parts of Worthen Road.

"It is understandable that this would cause a great deal of concern to members of the community, especially parents with children in these programs," police said.

Police confirmed that there was no threat to anyone in the building or on campus at the time of the incident.