According to the police officials, the 9-year-old boy told his parents that the man ran by his bus stop most mornings and touched him in a way that made him feel uncomfortable. His dad decided to park his car near the bus stop while his son waited in the hopes of catching the perpetrator in action. Little did he know that the boys’ alleged attacker was a 33-year-old pastor of a local church.
“While he was watching the school bus stop, our suspect ran by him, ran past the bus stop where the children were waiting. Turned around, came back and stopped where he touched the child,” Sgt. Quirk said.
The father from Oklahoma then chased after the suspect, Michael Coghill, and tackled him to the ground where he beat him up, cracking his eye socket. When police arrived they found the suspect with visible injuries to his head and face. This incident occurred on Wednesday, Sept. 22.
Local resident and witness Lisa, whose daughters also wait at the same bus stop, said she saw the suspect “in the cop car all bloody.”
According to the police report, Coghill lives in a community nearby and residents said he is a minister at a church. Lisa said she just thought he was a runner in the neighborhood and described the incident as “sickening”.
Police are appealing for information that could help the investigation to come forward. “If we have more victims, we encourage them if they know something, say something. Come forward,” Sgt. Quirk said.
The Lakehoma Church of Christ released a statement on its Facebook page confirming that Mike Coghill was its “discipleship minister” but has since been “relieved from all duties.”
Featured Image – Michael Coghill