Hillsboro man charged with bringing guns to FMS during church service

FAIRFIELD – A Hillsboro man was arrested after he allegedly brought guns onto school grounds in Fairfield.

Roger Allen Cook, 57, was arrested on Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Fairfield Middle School. The Bridge Church uses the middle school for its Sunday services, and during the service that day, Fairfield police received a call about a possibly armed man.

“Church officials advised that the defendant showed a patron a loaded firearm that was located in his truck,” the police report read. “The defendant admitted there were two firearms in his truck. Officers arrested the defendant.”

A search warrant for Cook’s vehicle was granted, and officers ended up discovering six total firearms in the vehicle.

The Union reached out to The Bridge Church Pastor Craig Zuithoff to inquire about whether Cook was a parishioner of the church, and if the parishioners of the church felt they were in danger. Zuithoff said that, due to the legal nature of the situation, he was not able to comment.

Attorney Eric Tindal was appointed to represent Cook, who has an arraignment scheduled for Sept. 16.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com