Man Used Machete, Racial Slurs To Threaten MD Churchgoers: Police

WALDORF, MD — A man is facing multiple charges after authorities said he threatened members of a Maryland church with a machete and yelled racial slurs at them as they prepared for service.

Kyle Michael Krawczyk, 25, of no fixed address, was charged with first-degree assault, racial–religious crimes against a group, reckless endangerment, and other related charges following the April 16 incident, according to a news release from the Charles County Sheriff's Office.

According to authorities, deputies were called to a church in the 5100 block of Leonardtown Road after receiving a report of a man threatening parishioners with a machete.

During the investigation, deputies learned the suspect — later identified as Krawczyk — was known to the victims, who were able to convince him to leave the church and go outside, authorities said. When deputies arrived, authorities said they spotted Krawczyk in a wooded area before he fled into the trees.

Deputies pursued Krawczyk into the woods, where he eventually surrendered, authorities said. When he was taken into custody, authorities said Krawczyk had an 18-inch machete strapped to his chest.

Krawczyk appeared in court on April 17. He is being held without bond.