Who is Louis Geri, Why the New Jersey Man Was Arrested Outside DC Church?

A New Jersey man, identified as Louis Geri, was arrested in Washington, DC, early Sunday morning after police said he was caught carrying a Molotov cocktail outside a well-known Catholic church.

The Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle was hosting its annual Red Mass, a traditional ceremony marking the start of the Supreme Court’s term.

Arrest Outside the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle

Police confirmed that Louis Geri, aged 41, from Vineland, New Jersey, was arrested around 6 a.m. on the steps of the church. Officers said he had been previously banned from the church property, though they did not reveal why.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Geri had set up a tent outside the church and refused to leave when officers asked him to. When police searched the tent, they found “suspicious items”, including liquid-filled vials and what appeared to be fireworks.

The Explosive Ordinance Disposal team and the Arson Task Force were called to inspect the scene. The area was immediately secured, and church doors were temporarily closed for safety reasons.

Charges Against Louis Geri

Authorities charged Louis Geri with multiple offenses, including:

• Unlawful Entry

• Threats to Kidnap or Injure a Person

• Possession of a Molotov Cocktail

Officials have not yet confirmed what motivated Geri’s actions. The case is currently being handled by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

What Is the Red Mass?

The Red Mass is a long-standing tradition held on the Sunday before the first Monday in October, coinciding with the start of the U.S. Supreme Court’s annual term.

According to the church, the purpose of the ceremony is “to invoke God’s blessings on those responsible for the administration of justice and on all public officials.”

Several high-ranking legal figures, judges, and politicians attend the event every year.

Growing Security Concerns in U.S. Churches

This arrest comes just a week after another shocking church attack in Michigan, where a gunman drove into a Mormon church, opened fire, and set the building ablaze, killing four people.

The two back-to-back incidents have renewed concerns over security threats targeting religious institutions across the country.

Investigation Continues

Police confirmed that no injuries were reported at the Washington church, and all suspicious materials found near Geri’s tent have been safely removed.

The Metropolitan Police and federal agencies continue to investigate whether there was any broader plan behind the incident.

As of now, Louis Geri remains in custody while authorities determine the motive behind his actions.