Late last night news broke that a man had been arrested after walking into St. Patrick’s Cathedral carrying four gallons of gas, lighter fluid and and lighters.
The man, named Marc Lamparello, walked into the Cathedral but was quickly stopped by security. As he was turned around to leave he’s said to have spilled some gas on the floor.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral called police and they arrested Lamparello. He reportedly told police that his car ran out of gas and that he was just cutting through, but police checked his car and said it was not out of gas.
While police haven’t released his motive, his intent seems to be pretty clear.
Here’s a few things we already know about Marc Lamparello.
1. Police are saying the 37-year-old Lamparello is emotionally disturbed, whatever that means.
2. He lives in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey
3. Lamparello is a philosophy professor and a graduate of Boston College. He’s also recently worked as a music director at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in East Rusterford, New Jersey back in 2013.
4. And his ownbio states:
“A native of New Jersey, Marc Lamparello studied philosophy at Boston College, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 2004. Marc has been heavily engaged in the study of philosophy from an early age, and is currently working on two other book-length projects, including a witty dialogue on arguments for and against the existence of God, and a series of essays on the epistemology of practical motivation.”
5. His own brother is stunned by the news:
His brother, Adam Lamparello, told The Daily Beast he was stunned by news of the arrest.
“Oh my god. I’m shocked this could even be true. I’m almost speechless,” he said. “This is something that is so not him. I don’t know what to even say.”
Whatever his motivation, I’m so glad Lamparello was stopped before he could do any damage.