In Shawnee, Kansas, a youth pastor has been taken into custody after allegations arose of him stabbing his wife and five children, then setting their home on fire.
The suspect, Matthew Lee Richards, 41, faces charges including five counts of attempted murder and one count of aggravated arson with potential risk of bodily harm. This information was made public by the Shawnee Police Department.
Emergency services in Shawnee responded to a call early in the morning around 3:47 am. Fire crews attended to a fire in the basement of the home. Subsequently, seven people, including Richards, were transported to a medical facility.
According to reports from the police, the injured individuals included Richards’ wife, their 19-year-old adult child, and four younger children. All, except for Richards, suffered lacerations. After treatment, the hospital released the 19-year-old and two of the younger children, while the others remain under care.
Matthew Lee Richards has been a youth pastor at Crossroads Christian Church in Shawnee since 2016. Information from his bio highlights his tenure at the church and mentions he had been married since 2003. It also outlines a family mantra emphasizing love for God, people, and sports.
Kurt Witten, the church’s senior pastor, addressed the matter via a Facebook post. He mentioned the church’s awareness of the incident involving Richards, requested understanding due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, and urged prayers for the Richards family. The church also decided not to broadcast its Sunday services online.
Residents of the neighborhood expressed their surprise at the events, recalling their interactions with the Richards family. Local media further highlighted Richards’ role as a 7th-grade English teacher at Christ Prep Academy and his prior teaching assignments in Austria and Dallas, Texas.
Currently, Richards is held at the Johnson County Jail with his bond set at $5 million. Court records indicate an arraignment was scheduled for Monday, September 18.
No motive for the attack was released by law enforcement.
