At a St. Patrick’s Church in Wichita, Kansas, a horrifying act of vandalism involving Satanic imagery and substantial property damage occurred, and a 23-year-old suspect with a criminal history was swiftly taken into custody. After being arrested on Sunday, Michael Angel Gonzalez, the 23-year-old suspect, is being held on a bond of at least $500,000. Broken glass, a burned American flag, and damaged statues were scattered on a wall, along with a scrawl of a Satanic website. Several agencies are involved in the investigation, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the FBI, and the local police.
Satanic Assault on Hallowed Grounds
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wichita was the scene of unsettling vandalism that was discovered Saturday morning as the weekend leading up to St. Patrick’s Day got underway. When authorities disclosed the extent of the damage, the attack left the community in shock and indignation. Several law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and local police, launched an immediate investigation after police responding to the scene discovered evidence of intentional desecration that went well beyond ordinary vandalism.
There was overt hate speech in the vandalism, but police have not told the public what it was. Nonetheless, the attack’s ideological nature was revealed when the Kansas Catholic Conference reported that a satanic website had been inscribed on one of the church walls. Religious statues were destroyed, glass and candles were shattered, and in one particularly offensive act, an American flag was set ablaze on church property.
CHURCH VANDALISM/USA FLAG BURNED:🚨
Wichita Police, FBI and ATF are investigating at St Patrick Catholic Church.Vandalism includes hate speech and US flag burned
WPD says there is also damage to statues, candles and glass @KWCH12 pic.twitter.com/WqcCsZD9MK
— Dylan Domangue (@KWCHDylan) March 15, 2025
Quick Arrest and Grave Allegations
Michael Angel Gonzalez, 23, was identified and taken into custody by Wichita police on Sunday in relation to the crime. Gonzalez was already on parole, according to the authorities, for prior convictions related to burglary, property damage, and criminal threat. The suspect is currently facing several serious charges, including contempt of court, criminal damage to property, burglary, criminal desecration, and parole violation. Given the seriousness of the offenses, the court has set his bond at more than $500,000.
“Police found “extensive vandalism, including hate speech, damage to statues, candles and glass. Notably, a United States flag was also burned,”
The case has drawn significant attention from multiple law enforcement agencies. The involvement of federal authorities such as the FBI suggests the possibility that the crime could be investigated as a potential hate crime targeting religious freedom. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also participating in the investigation, particularly concerning the flag burning incident which adds another dimension to the criminal acts committed.
Vandalism at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wichita prompts President Trump’s pledge to investigate.
What do you think? pic.twitter.com/5Wbwaxim3P
— Catholic Man (@catholicman_) March 18, 2025
Community and Official Response
Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan didn’t mince words when addressing the incident, condemning the desecration in the strongest terms. The attack on a place of worship has struck a particularly sensitive chord in the community, with many viewing it not just as property damage but as an assault on deeply held religious values and community traditions. The timing near St. Patrick’s Day made the targeting of this particular church seem even more deliberate.
Sullivan further emphasized the community’s united stance against such acts, stating, “This reprehensible act of vandalism will not be tolerated.” The strong response from law enforcement reflects not only the criminal nature of the vandalism but also acknowledges the emotional and spiritual impact on parishioners who consider the church a sanctuary. The burning of the American flag alongside religious desecration has particularly resonated with many in the community who view both actions as attacks on foundational values.