He was caught and arrested.
In Utah, a man named Chandler Grillone, aged 31, was apprehended following a violent incident at a Catholic church during Sunday services. The event occurred at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, where Grillone allegedly assaulted parishioners using his fists and a wooden sword. Eyewitnesses reported that the attacks seemed arbitrary and unprovoked.
Grillone faces multiple charges, including two counts of felony aggravated assault, a felony for property damage under $5,000, a misdemeanor assault charge, disorderly conduct, and interfering with a police officer. Authorities stated that Grillone struck two individuals with the wooden sword and punched a third person, breaking their glasses. The probable cause statement mentioned that Grillone resisted arrest, twisting away and refusing to get into the police vehicle, requiring officers to restrain him for safe transport.
The Cathedral of the Madeleine, a significant historical landmark in Salt Lake City, was completed in 1909 under the guidance of the Right Rev. Lawrence Scanlan. The cathedral boasts a Romanesque exterior and Gothic interior, designed by architects Carl M. Newhausen and Bernard O. Mecklenburg. The land for the cathedral was acquired in 1890 for $35,000, and the construction cost totaled $344,000.
A report by the conservative Christian organization, the Family Research Council, has noted a sharp rise in attacks on churches. In the past year, there were 436 reported incidents, more than double the number recorded in 2022. These incidents included vandalism, arson attempts, gun-related incidents, bomb threats, and other types of attacks, indicating a troubling trend of violence against religious institutions.
From January to November 2023 alone, the Family Research Council documented 315 acts of vandalism, 75 instances of arson or attempted arson, 10 gun-related incidents, 20 bomb threats, and 37 other types of attacks on churches. This surge in violence highlights the growing need for increased security and protective measures for religious communities.