Church Member Arrested After Making a False Report of Shots Fired

BURNET, TX — A church employee has been arrested after making a false police report.

The Burnet County Sheriff’s Office has released information regarding a church employee who was arrested after making a false shots fired report.

According to information released on the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office Facebook, it happened on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, just after 10:30 a.m.

Burnet County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Church at the Epicenter, located at 2401 North US 281, regarding a 911 call in which a male subject requested police and then hung up.

When deputies arrived on scene, it was clear that there had been gunfire and that the 911 caller had fired all of the shots. It was then determined that the caller/shooter was a member of the church’s volunteer safety team.

The church member stated that he confronted two males outside the church and one of them produced a rifle. He fired multiple rounds causing the two males to flee the scene.

On Oct. 7, 2024, the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office updated this story to reveal that they conducted a thorough investigation of the incident. Over the course of this investigation, the church safety team member admitted that he had fabricated details of the incident and had lied to law enforcement.

There were no hostile actions taken or directed at the church by any persons, no weapons brandished toward the church or the safety team member, and at no time was the congregation in danger.

As a result, the safety team member, Jacob Wayne Tarver, 45, has been arrested and charged with False Report to Induce an Emergency Response, Tampering with or Fabricated Physical Evidence, and Deadly Conduct.

Tarver was jailed in the Burnet County Jail.

The Burnet County Sheriff’s Office also wants to inform the public to please remain alert to public safety and continue to report suspicious activity to the proper authorities. That said, do not give in to the unfounded fears that are a result of this false story. Sheriff Boyd asks that members of the public disseminate this update broadly by liking, sharing, reporting, and freely discussing it. The rumors and speculation surrounding this case have only served to cause fear, mistrust, and animosity within the community.

This falsehood can only be counteracted by the widespread announcement of the truth.