Man Claiming to be Christ Causes Commotion in Coral Springs Store

February 22, 2024 • By Ryan Yousefi

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Man Claiming to be Christ Causes Commotion in Coral Springs Store

James Sweeney {BSO}

By Ryan Yousefi

A man who professed to be Jesus was arrested following incidents of threats and assaults on patrons within a Coral Springs Target.

On February 18, the Coral Springs Police Department responded to a customer disturbance at the Target store at 9600 Westview Drive in which a man claiming to be Jesus Christ pooped his pants, then attempted to fight people.

Upon arrival, officers encountered a homeless man, later identified as James Sweeney, 48, showing apparent signs of alcohol impairment, clearly disrupting the normal business flow of the store, including yelling at patrons, staff, and customers.

According to the report, Sweeney attempted to hit employees and customers and showed extreme hostility towards anyone in his vicinity. The situation worsened when Sweeney, who is homeless, refused to leave the premises.

Upon arrival, law enforcement officers encountered Sweeney displaying clear signs of impairment, posing a danger to both the people present and the store’s property. The incident, witnessed by patrons, including children, was recorded by the store’s CCTV and officers’ body-worn cameras.

The chaos and abuse continued after Sweeney was taken into custody and as he was taken to the Broward Health Coral Springs Hospital, where he was medically cleared for jail.

There, Sweeney reportedly kicked an officer in the groin, attempted to spit at a sergeant, and loudly used derogatory racial slurs loud enough that staff and other patients could hear him. He also made threats against a sergeant’s life and insulted his wife.

The discovery of a mostly-consumed 1.75-liter bottle of Skol Vodka in his backpack confirmed alcohol played a significant role in his behavior.

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Author Profile

Ryan Yousefi

Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiple outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.