A former youth pastor in Kansas, Matthew Lee Richards, has shocked the community by stabbing his wife and five children, all because he feared they would be evicted from their home. The distressing incident occurred in Shawnee, a quiet suburb of Kansas City, where Richards set their house on fire and attacked his family.
This shocking act has left the community in disbelief and mourning.
Multiple 911 calls were made just before 4 a.m. on September 16th, reporting a house fire and a stabbing at the family's residence. The chilling calls included reports of Richards chasing his children with a knife, and a fire alarm blaring in the background.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found three stabbing victims outside the house, and an explosion subsequently occurred, causing significant damage to the property.
Richards' wife and four sons, one of whom is 19 years old while the others are minors, along with his daughter, all suffered stab wounds in the horrifying attack. His wife was critically injured, and two of the children also sustained serious wounds.
One of the children recounted that they were in bed when their father began stabbing everyone, forcing them to flee the house in terror. Richards himself admitted to investigators that he had stabbed his family.
Investigations revealed that Richards had kept his family in the dark about their dire financial situation, including an impending eviction notice. Feeling trapped, he devised a plan to burn down the house, setting the fire first before wielding a knife.
In the midst of the chaos, Richards grappled with his wife over the knife, and his children witnessed the horrifying scene. His son even asked, "Dad, why do you have the knife?" before escaping to safety.
The aftermath of the attack was gruesome, with multiple victims suffering from severe stab wounds. Richards, once a youth pastor known for his involvement in the community, referred to himself as a "monster."
The church where Richards had been a youth pastor, Crossroads Christian Church in Shawnee, expressed shock and sadness over the tragedy. The church community rallied to support the Richards family during this difficult time, emphasizing their need for privacy and prayers.
Matthew Lee Richards is currently in custody at the Johnson County Jail on a $5 million bond, facing charges of attempted murder and aggravated arson. This tragic incident has left a lasting impact on the community, reminding everyone of the importance of mental health and support systems.
In another development, a Delaware State Police trooper is facing indictment following an investigation into a violent incident involving a 15-year-old boy who had pranked his home. See detailed story here.
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