Man caught walking into New York cathedral with full gas cans, lighters

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

APRIL 17, 2019 / 10:23 PM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO


(Reuters) - A 37-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday night after walking into St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City with two full gasoline cans, lighter fluid and lighters, police said.

The man entered the Catholic cathedral in Midtown Manhattan just before 8:00 p.m. (0000 GMT) and was confronted by a security guard, a New York City Police Department (NYPD) official said.

As the man turned to leave, gasoline spilled onto the floor and the guard informed police stationed outside.

Officers caught up with the man and he was taken into custody after questioning, said John Miller, deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism for the NYPD.

Read more: https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-new-york-cathedral/man-caught-walking-into-new-york-cathedral-with-full-gas-cans-lighters-idUKKCN1RU09E?rpc=401&

[YOHABLO]

2. It's hard to rap ones head around how much 'crazy' presides in this country. Is it by design?

[ArizonaLib]

7. Don't forget the homeless that never made it to jail

No homeless (remember when 'bag lady' was a new term in the 80's?) before Old Mother Reagan and lots of homeless after. And yes, we were better off before Reaganomics, the 'Laugher' (Laffer) curve and the voodoo economics BS. Tinkle Down Economics.

[Princess Turandot]

4. This is what he was carrying:

Link to tweet

At the press conference, they indicated that he was 'known to police' but did not elaborate on that. (He's from NJ, not NY.) There are early reports that he's emotionally disturbed. Given what he tried to carry into the building, that does seem somewhat plausible.

[rpannier]

6. He claimed he had run out of gas and was cutting through to his car

I often carry lighter fluid when my car runs out of gas
He hadn't run out of gas, of course
He likely was disturbed and the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral touched off something

[The Mouth]

11. Interrogate the living fuck out of him

There's got to be a link to those who want a Reichstag fire here.

[GReedDiamond]

5. MAGA...nt

[watoos]

8. Why am I imagining

if this guy was successful that the narrative would have been, "Muslims burning Catholic churches?"

Did he think he needed lighter fluid to ignite the gasoline, or was that going to be used as his fuse?

Well, the philosophy teacher I had in college was pretty crazy, but that was back in the 60's.

[LiberalFighter]

9. Too many of these people are running around loose.

[Bayard]

10. Right in time for Easter

I'm surprised he didn't wait till Sunday morning when the church was full.

[bluevoter4life]

12. Alternate headline

"Terrorist attack thwarted by alert security guard"

Fixed it for ya, Reuters

[FakeNoose]

13. New York Daily News has a photo of the guy already

Marc Lamparello, a 37-year-old college professor from Hasbrouck Heights NJ. When he was apprehended he had a one-way ticket to Rome, flying out tonight. His stunned father says that it's totally out of character, and he sounded fine when he talked to him earlier on the phone.

Here's the full story in NYDN: https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/manhattan/ny-st-patrick-arrest-dad-speaks-20190418-j4cetm56gjfmjkbl4vlghwvs3u-story.html

[SFnomad]

14. One-way ticket to Rome? Wtf was he going to do? Confess his sins to the Pope? n/t

[FakeNoose]

15. Sounds like the guy is off his rocker

Maybe he was planning to join up with Steve Bannon in Rome?

I don't know. Let's watch and see if there's something on the news tonight.

[brooklynite]

17. Maybe saving a gallon for St. Peter's?

[IronLionZion]

16. That photo proves he's not a terrorist