In Shawnee, Kansas, on September 16, a youth pastor was taken into custody after allegations arose of him stabbing his wife and five children, then setting their home on fire.
Matthew Lee Richards, 41, has been slapped with multiple accusations. The legal charges against him, as confirmed by the Shawnee Police Department, are five instances of attempted murder and a solitary count of aggravated arson with potential harm implications.
Shawnee’s emergency response teams were mobilized at 3:47 a.m. Their immediate task was extinguishing a fire that had broken out in the house’s basement area. Seven individuals, one of whom was Richards, were transported to a health facility.
Police data highlights that among the wounded were Richards’ life partner, their 19-year-old child, and four of their younger children. Excluding Richards, all bore stab marks. The medical team allowed the 19-year-old and two younger siblings to head home after treatment, but the others were still undergoing medical supervision after the incident.
Richards’ professional journey shows him serving as a youth pastor at the local Crossroads Christian Church since 2016. His personal details indicate his marriage in 2003. A notable aspect of his family’s identity revolves around a shared ethos of devotion to God, kindness towards fellow humans, and a shared enthusiasm for sports.
Reacting to the situation, Kurt Witten, who is at the helm of the church’s operations, put forth a statement on Facebook. He acknowledged the church’s cognizance of the grave situation concerning Richards, asked for restraint considering the active investigation, and solicited prayers for the well-being of the Richards’ household. As a measure of respect, the church postponed its online Sunday rituals.
Community members have been vocal about their shock, reminiscing about their previous associations with the Richards. Notably, apart from his pastoral duties, Richards had been contributing to the community as a 7th-grade instructor at Christ Prep Academy. His teaching resume also lists engagements in places like Austria and Dallas.
In the latest update, Richards is detained at the Johnson County Jail. His bond amount has been fixed at $5 million. Legal proceedings, in the form of an arraignment, began on September 18. The driving reason behind this heinous act remains under wraps by the officials.