Authorities arrested a New Jersey man outside the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle on Sunday after discovering a Molotov cocktail and other suspicious materials near the historic Catholic church.
The incident occurred just hours before the annual Red Mass, a high-profile service that traditionally marks the start of the U.S. Supreme Court’s new term.
Police identified the suspect as 41-year-old Louis Geri of Vineland, New Jersey. Officials say he had pitched a tent on the church steps and refused to leave despite being previously banned from the site. Upon investigation, officers reportedly found vials of liquid, fireworks, and an improvised explosive device inside the tent.
The Metropolitan Police Department’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, the Arson Task Force, and the FBI all responded to secure the scene. No injuries were reported, and the area was cleared before the Mass began.
Geri now faces charges of unlawful entry, possession of a Molotov cocktail, and making threats to kidnap or injure. His motive remains unclear.
The Red Mass… held annually at St. Matthew’s Cathedral… is a long-standing tradition attended by prominent government figures and often by Supreme Court justices. While no justices were seen at this year’s service, the incident comes amid rising concerns over threats and violence directed at members of the Court.
