Aron Mark Ferris was charged by Milwaukee County prosecutors with a felony of criminal damage to religious property and a misdemeanor of disorderly conduct using a dangerous weapon.
On April 5 — Easter Sunday — the 50-year-old Green Bay man slashed the doors of the Church of the Gesu and told police he was God, according to a criminal complaint. The door repair is expected to cost about $50,000.
This marks the second case of vandalism at Gesu within three weeks.
Police responded to the parish around 4 p.m., where they found Ferris sitting on the church’s altar steps with an ax. The complaint said Ferris repeated that he was God as officers tried getting him to toss his weapons aside. He told officers if they shot him, the bullet would turn around on them.
Despite most Marquette students being home for Easter break, Kevin Conway, university spokesperson, said the Marquette University Police Department sent a safety alert regarding “police presence.” There was no follow-up email, given the suspect was immediately taken into custody and there was no threat to campus, he said.
Police found the ax, two knives, a multitool, a loaded rifle and extra ammunition after handcuffing Ferris and searching his possessions. In his car, they found a loaded handgun, and snacks and drinks to sustain him during his time at the church.
While interviewing with police, Ferris talked in detail about how he believed he was God, according to the complaint. He said he took an ax to the church door because it was locked and chose to go on Easter because “there would be people there that he could tell his story to.” Ferris said his gun was for drawing media and public attention.
Ferris will undergo a competency exam since the court believes he is competent to proceed, an online court record said. Another hearing will occur May 11, where a judge will consider a doctor’s report after the competency exam.
This incident follows a vandalism incident at the Church of the Gesu from March 18 involving Demetres Xaviar Martece Henderson, 29, who is charged with criminal damage to property. His damage to several statues, candle holders, kneelers and other items in the church amounted to an estimated $25,000.
Both incidents occurred despite increased regular church patrols by Marquette University Police officers and increased security camera monitoring. Recent renovations to the upper church also included security cameras and a security desk near the entryway.
This story has been updated for a correction.
This story was written by Elena Metinidis. She can be reached at [email protected].
