Man Arrested with 'Hundred‑Plus' Explosives Outside DC Cathedral
Louis D. Geri, 41, a New Jersey resident, was arrested after Washington, D.C. police found him camped in a tent outside the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle around 5 a.m. on Sunday and recovered dozens of alleged homemade explosive devices, vials and a manifesto expressing animosity toward Catholics, Jews, the U.S. Supreme Court and ICE. The discovery occurred as authorities were securing the site for the annual Red Mass—an event some justices were expected to attend—and an MPD bomb-squad member opened the tent after negotiations; police say the suspect threatened deaths and claimed he had 'a hundred plus' devices.
Crime
Public Safety
📌 Key Facts
- Suspect: Louis D. Geri, 41, found in a green tent on the cathedral steps around 5 a.m. Sunday in Washington, D.C.
- Weapons/Devices: Police and MPD bomb squad recovered a cache of handmade destructive devices, vials of liquid (one white-capped vial with yellow liquid) and a lighter; suspect reportedly said he had 'a hundred plus' devices.
- Threats & motive: Writings and a manifesto allegedly showed animosity toward Catholics, Jews, the Supreme Court and ICE; suspect allegedly threatened 'several of your people are gonna...die'.
- Context: Incident occurred ahead of the Red Mass at St. Matthew’s Cathedral (a high-profile event that some Supreme Court justices attend); suspect had been previously barred from the property on Sept. 26.
📚 Contextual Background
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the federal agency responsible for apprehending and detaining people suspected of being undocumented immigrants in the United States.