WICHITA FALLS ( KFDX/KJTL ) — A Wichita Falls man is free on bond after being charged with threatening to kill members of a large Wichita Falls church. Police say the repeated threats caused church officials to take extra security measures.
Thomas Barber, 68, was booked into jail May 6, 2024 on a charge of making terroristic threats and released on bond May 7.
CRIME: Rephidim Church pastor sentenced for child sex crimes The initial report was taken last August about an incident at a restaurant on Maplewood.
Police say two victims were eating dinner with friends when Barber, without provocation, approached their table and said, “You’d be dead if it weren’t for this guy” and pointed to Thomas’ father.
The two, identified by police as Victims #1 and #2, told police they are long time members of the church and recognized Thomas because he was a member several years ago. They said when they heard Thomas’ statement, they feared Thomas was going to kill them.
The victims explained they typically eat at the same restaurant on the same day of the week and often see Thomas there at about the same time.
Police also talked to a witness who was sitting with Victims #1 and #2. The witness stated he is not a member of the church and is a friend of Thomas. The witness said Thomas approached their table and stated to Victims #1 and #2, “When my dad dies…” but couldn’t recall the rest.
The witness stated Thomas was extremely upset.
On April 8, 2024, another terroristic threat report was taken by police. In that report, Victim #3 was eating breakfast at another restaurant on Maplewood.
He said that on April 6 around 8:15 a.m., he and a friend were eating breakfast when their waitress told them that Thomas just stated he was going to “Kill him,” meaning Victim #3.
Police questioned the waitress who confirmed the victim was there with a friend and Thomas was sitting at a separate table, and Thomas asked her if “That guy comes in every Saturday?” while pointing at victim #3.
The waitress said she confirmed he was a regular customer and Thomas asked, “That guy right there. He comes in pretty regularly every Saturday, at the same time?” The waitress told Thomas yes and said he replied, “Okay, because I’m going to kill him.”
The waitress stated Thomas approached Victim #3’s table and said a few words, then left. She said she informed Victim #3 of Thomas’ statement and was worried Thomas was going to act on his threat.
Police say Victim #3 told them Thomas approached his table without provocation and called him some names and then left. He said the waitress then informed him Thomas told her he was going to kill him.
Victim #3 stated he was in fear Barber was going to his vehicle to get a gun to kill him. He said he used to attend the church several years ago when Barber also attended, but he had since left. He said he thinks Thomas believes he is still a member of the church.
Police also talked to a man who said he is a longtime friend of Thomas and said on several occasions Thomas made statements about wanting to harm and kill church members. He said Thomas made numerous statements that “When my dad dies, I’m going to kill them,” referring to church members.
He said Thomas told him he would kill “those SOB” at the church. He told police Thomas is mad at anybody who attends the church and they are all targets in Thomas’ mind.
On April 24 police reported they received information that Thomas made threatening statements towards church members inside a business on Maplewood.
A witness said Thomas came into the business on April 10 and when he met Thomas in the lobby, Thomas said, “I promised my parents that I would never harm or kill anybody while they were still living” but that since Thomas’ father had died, he had nothing else to live for.
The witness stated Thomas began making detailed statements about his anger towards the church and mentioned a person, Victim #4, by name.
The witness stated Thomas said since his parents are now gone, there are people he would harm and kill at the church, again mentioning Victim #4 by name. The witness stated he alerted church leaders of Thomas’ statements.
Police went to the church and spoke with the senior and executive pastors, Victims #5 and #6. They confirmed Victim #4 is employed part time with the church and is an active member.
Victims #5 and #6 said they were alerted to Thomas’ numerous statements about wanting to kill church members and they put extra security measures in place because of concern over Thomas’ threats.
CRIME: Narcan providing fentanyl dealer sentenced in Wichita Falls Police spoke to Victim #4 and his wife, Victim #7. Victim #4 stated he was alerted to Thomas’ threats and fears for his life. Victim #7 stated they had to tell family members to stay away from their residence because they fear Thomas would act on his threats.
Police say their investigation makes it clear Barber is targeting members of the church and threatening them while out in the public, and that the victims are in a state of perpetual fear.
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