A teen with an active capital murder warrant out of Montgomery County was taken into custody Sunday outside Church of the Highlands Sunday.

Pelham police responded to the church on Helena Road just after noon.

An adult and eight juveniles arrived at the church in two separate vehicles, authorities said.

A church volunteer was shuttling people from their vehicles to the building.

The volunteer saw that one of the juvenile males had a firearm in his waistband and informed him that he could not have the weapon inside the church.

The juvenile male complied and exited the shuttle and placed the firearm in a vehicle.

Immediately, police said, the adult and seven remaining juveniles exited the shuttle, and a juvenile female drove away in the vehicle containing the firearm and returned a few minutes later.

Pelham officers were alerted to the teen male with the firearm and made contact with him.

The 16-year-old was taken into custody without incident.

A short time later, officers found the gun hidden in some bushes on the other side of the church property.

Montgomery police Capt. Raymond Carson said the 16-year-old is charged in the Nov. 17, 2023, shooting death of Tanario Abner, 21, of Montgomery.

Police and fire medics found Abner after responding at about 10:39 p.m. that Friday to a call to the 3400 block of Fountain Circle. Abner was pronounced dead at the scene.

The teen suspect’s name is being withheld because of his age. He is being held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail.

Pelham police are working with Montgomery police as the investigation continues.

The preliminary investigation has not revealed any known threats in the Pelham area.