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Man Arrested at D.C. Cathedral With 200+ Improvised Explosives Held Without Bail

Investigators are analyzing the devices under a case that includes a hate‑crime weapons charge.

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 22: The Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle holds Ash Wednesday services on February 22, 2023 in Washington, DC. Observed by Catholic and many Protestant Christians around the world, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, 40 days of fasting and repentance observances ending with the celebration of Easter. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C., OCTOBER 6: Worshipers leave after celebrating the 72nd Annual Red Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C., October 6, 2024. The mass, which is sponsored by the John Carroll Society, is held annually on the Sunday before the first Monday in October, which marks the beginning of the new term of the Supreme Court. The mass attempts to invoke God's blessings on officials and politicians primarily responsible for the administration of justice. Supreme Court Justices John G. Roberts, Brett M. Kavanaugh, and Amy Barrett attended the mass. (Astrid Riecken For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
U.S. Capitol Police officers with a K9 detector dog, patrols outside of Supreme Court, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Overview

  • Police say more than 200 handmade destructive devices were seized from a tent on the steps of the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle hours before the annual Red Mass.
  • Court records describe items that appeared fully functional, including vials the suspect said contained nitromethane and modified bottle rockets intended for remote detonation.
  • The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Louis Geri of New Jersey, allegedly threatened officers, claimed to have “a hundred plus” explosives, and handed over a nine‑page manifesto.
  • The manifesto expressed animosity toward the Catholic Church, Jewish people, Supreme Court members and ICE, and authorities say no Supreme Court justices attended the service due to the security response.
  • Geri is jailed without bond on multiple counts, including manufacture or possession of a weapon of mass destruction in furtherance of a hate crime, as FBI, ATF and JTTF continue forensic testing ahead of a preliminary hearing on Thursday.