MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A building that was bought with the intention of becoming a facility for homeless women and children was robbed this weekend. In a press release from Warriors Center, CEO David Vincent said that after purchasing an abandoned nursing home building in the 3000 block of Walnut Grove Road, they were met with an unexpected surprise. “We unknowingly walked right into an active crime scene," Vincent said. "There were burglary tools and saws all over the floor. There were piles of copper wire and plumbing fixtures scattered around in piles everywhere. We saw bullets & shell casings all over the floor in the hall which told us that the culprits had guns." Vincent said the group learned quickly that they were not alone. "Then we looked up as strange men with hoodies started walking out of rooms obviously 'high on meth," Vincent said. "I shouted at them that the police were on the way, and we exited our building immediately. We called 911 and the police came quickly and searched the facility with K-9 Units, but the thieves were already gone. Sadly, we would find the thieves had stolen much of the copper out of the building, smashed up bathrooms to steal copper pipes and fixtures, and had caused nearly a million dollars in damage. It was a very sad night for us." Porch pirate caught with stolen Amazon packages: SCSO Warriors Center planned to start a 180-bed program for homeless women and children at the facility. However, despite the robbery, Vincent said the intention is to still move forward with the project because "because of the great need for homeless women and children." "For 25 years, the Warriors Center has been fighting for men & women in the Memphis area who are battling homelessness and addiction. We started our non-profit charity by helping men rebuild their lives. Later, we stepped up to start helping women," Vincent said. "Now, we’re committed to building this new center to serve homeless women and their children. What has happened to our new facility was devastating but we will not quit. We have now started the clean-up work and are setting in order plans to rebuild and keep the dream alive."