KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A husband and father is charged with five counts of attempted murder after allegedly stabbing his family and setting their house on fire early Saturday morning in Shawnee, Kansas.
Matthew Lee Richards, 41, also faces one count of aggravated arson with risk of bodily harm, according to a spokesperson with the Shawnee Police Department.
There are six victims total, with two being over the age of 18.
At around 3:47 a.m. the Shawnee Police Department and Shawnee Fire Department were dispatched to the 6600 block of Goode Drive on a report of a disturbance and house fire. Firefighters discovered a fire in the basement, which they quickly extinguished.
Out at the home on Goode Ave. Police, Johnson Co. Crime Lab taking pictures of evidence/perusing the scene.
— Caroline Hogan KSHB (@CarolineHoganTV) September 16, 2023
Very quiet in the neighborhood.
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The victims suffered laceration injuries.
One adult woman and two juveniles are still receiving treatment at area hospitals as of Saturday afternoon.
A 19-year-old and two additional juveniles have been released from the hospital.
Richards was also initially transported to a hospital for treatment.
Richards is being held on a $5 million bond, and his first court date is set for 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18.
Richards is a children's pastor at Crossroads Christian Church in Shawnee, according to a statement from the church. Based on his notoriety as a pastor, KSHB 41 has published Richards' mugshot.
According to investigators, there are no additional suspects at this time, although the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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For jurisdictions that utilize the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline, anonymous tips can be made by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com. Tips leading to an arrest made through the Tips Hotline may be eligible for up to a $25,000 reward.
Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy.
