MPD: Man threatens to 'butcher' churchgoers with a machete
Mar 23, 2025
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A man was arrested this week after he allegedly threatened to "butcher" parishioners at a local Catholic Church, Memphis Police confirmed.
On Friday, officers arrived at St. Louis Catholic Church when they were met by two male victims, one was a pastor and the other was a music
minister.
After being involved in a verbal altercation with one of the male victims, Zachary Liberto allegedly defaced the baptismal pool inside the church.
Zachary Liberto. (SCSO)
Liberto then allegedly sent an email to one of the victims threatening to cause "mass casualties" at the church.
The victim forwarded the email thread to investigators, who read an email that said, "I need a video of [redacted] getting slapped by you in 24 hours before I butcher people in that church with a machete."
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Both of the victims said that they knew Liberto to carry a machete with him.
Investigators were able to obtain a recording by a parishioner of the church who spoke with Liberto on the phone.
During the recording, Liberto could be heard saying, "I will not f------ let people threaten and mock me all day and not go f------ do something about it... I'll do time about it today."
Liberto has been charged with Commission of Act of Terrorism and is being held on a $200,100 bond. ...read more read less