AMHERST, N.Y. (WKBW) — Amherst Police are currently investigating a report of shots fired near a church near Millersport Highway and Dodge Road.
According to police, there is "no immediate threat to the general public, we would just ask our citizens to avoid the area,
while we assess any possible danger."
At this time, police have not found any evidence of shots fired in the area of The Well Buffalo church on Dodge Road or the surrounding area. Police say "the source of the disturbance is yet to be determined."
HAPPENING NOW: Amherst police say they’re investigating a report of shots fired in the Millersport Highway and Campbell Blvd area. They say there’s no immediate danger to the public, but ask citizens to avoid the area. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/DIMUuWWu6q
— Taylor Epps (@taylor_epps_) June 14, 2020
The Well Buffalo church streams their services on Facebook Live. In Sunday's video, you can hear several loud bangs while Pastor Darrick Castronova speaks to the congregation. You can hear church-goers panic and call for help from police.
"We had quite the traumatic experience here, sounds of what sounded like gunshots. What we have ruled out completely is that it was not gunshots, we aren't sure what it was," said Pastor Darrick Castronova.
No injuries have been reported. Amherst Police escorted people to their cars and cleared the building with help from Town of Tonawanda Police, State Police and ATF.
"We wanted to make sure everyone got to their cars safely. We checked the area. Obviously we don't just check inside the building, we check the neighborhood, we check the area to make sure someone's not hiding," said Captain Scott Chamberlin.
The investigation is ongoing. Police say they hope the church's Facebook Live video can help them find some answers.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Amherst Police Department at 716-689-1311.
We will have more information on this as it becomes available.
