A former Kansas children’s pastor pleaded guilty this week to two counts of attempted murder in an incident in which he tried to kill his family and burn down their house rather than tell them he had destroyed the family’s finances and they were being evicted.

Matthew Lee Richards was initially charged with five counts of attempted murder and one count of aggravated arson with risk of bidily home for the September 16, 2023, incident, as CrimeOnline reported.

Richards’ victims were his wife, a then-19-year-old son, and four juvenile children.

According to KMBC, Richards told police he formulated the plan to kill his family and burn down the house rather than tell them they were being evicted that day because of his financial mismanagement. He said his wife and children had no idea whatsoever how dire the situation was.

A probable cause affidavit said they received several 911 calls that day. One child called to say their father was chasing them with a knife; another said she had been stabbed.

Shawnee Police found three victims with stab wounds outside the house and smoke coming from inside. Richards’ wife and two children were rushed to a hospital in critical condition. Two other juveniles and the adult child were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

One of the children told investigators everyone was in ped “when dad came around stabbing everyone.”

Richards was apparently fired from his job at the Crossroads Christian Church, which said it was “shocked, sickened, and saddened” by the incident.

His sentencing is set for March 26.

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[Featured image: Matthew Lee Richards/Johnson County Sheriff’s Office]