CNA Staff, Sep 4, 2025 / 10:19 am

A man arrested with a car full of weapons after threatening a California Catholic church told the parish he was an angel of death meant to “do the Lord’s reaping,” according to authorities.

Police arrested Joshua Michael Richardson on Aug. 28 after he allegedly made criminal threats against St. Michael’s Abbey, located in Silverado, about 40 miles southeast of Los Angeles in the Santa Ana Mountains.

Richardson, an Alabama resident, had a cache of weapons in his car, including knives, brass knuckles, and a sword, police said. He was also reportedly in possession of several gun magazines.

On Sept. 3 the Orange County District Attorney’s office said in a press release that prior to driving from Alabama to the California abbey, Richardson sent an email

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