Man charged after hazardous device found outside Garner church

Garner police have charged a man in the case of a suspicious device found in a church parking lot.

2026-03-04

Officers found a suspicious device in the parking lot of The Capital Church along Highway 70 on Friday.

On Tuesday, Christopher McMullen was charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction, second-degree trespassing and littering.

Investigators have found no evidence suggesting that Capitol Church was targeted. Police do not believe the act was directed at the congregation.

Police described the object as a hazardous device. It was safely destroyed with the help of the Raleigh Police Department Hazardous Device Unit.