NEW CASTLE, Ind. – An Indiana pastor is accused of threatening to shoot children after telling them to stay away from his church.

According to court documents filed this week in Henry County, Bobby Slagle, 69, showed his firearm to the children while they were riding their bikes near the church. The Henry County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges of intimidation and resisting law enforcement against him.

According to New Castle police, the incident happened around 5 p.m. Monday. Slagle was standing outside Calvary Baptist Church, 2700 S. Main St., when a brother and sister were riding their bikes to Baker Park.

4 Fast Facts

• New Castle pastor arrested on charges of intimidation and resisting arrest
• He’s accused of threatening to shoot children and showing them his gun
• The children were riding their bikes to a park when it happened
• The pastor told police he was upset with recent vandalism at the church

According to the children’s account to police, a man later identified as Slagle told them to “get off his property or he was going to shoot them.” He then raised his shirt to show he had a gun. The handle was sticking out of his waistband.

Police then went to Slagle’s home, where he invited officers inside and said there were several kids on the property and he was upset with recent vandalism at the church. He then showed officers the gun, raising his shirt again.

Slagle said he had a lifetime carry permit and told officers “it was his right to tell the kids” what he’d told them.

Officers then left the home and discussed the case with the prosecutor’s office, which planned to pursue an intimidation charge in the case.

Officers made the arrest at the church. As they tried to handcuff Slagle, he “tensed up” and started a brief struggle with officers.

Police said Slagle’s gun contained “four live rounds” of ammunition when they took him into custody.