Police in the US state of Texas have arrested a woman after a firebomb was hurled at people engaged in a prayer vigil outside an abortion clinic.

Members of the Central Texas Alliance for Life had gathered in the city of Austin for the prayer event when the crude device was thrown from a passing car, allegedly by 52-year-old Melanie Maria Toney. Luckily for those who were the intended target, the thrown bottle did not shatter and a burning wick failed to make contact with the liquid contents, thought to be flammable. A small fire was quickly extinguished by vigil participants, while others followed Toney’s car as police were called. Officers subsequently traced Toney and reported that when detained, she was talking to herself. She has now been charged with aggravated assault.

Speaking after the incident, the executive director of the Central Texas Coalition for Life, Heather Gardner said: “We are so thankful that none of our courageous volunteers were injured during the incident. Because of their quick actions, the woman responsible was apprehended and will be held accountable.”

In a stamen, the coalition later said that the attack “will in no way deter us from offering real options to women walking into abortion facilities. We are here to promote peace in and out of the womb, something abortion supporters do not understand.”