Man Berates Priest During Morning Mass, School Re-Evaluates Safety Precautions
A man was charged after interrupting Mass with students from St. Alexander's present.
Charges have been filed after a man stormed into morning Mass and shouted 'violent threats' at the priest.
The incident occurred during the 8:30 a.m. Mass on March 26 at St. Alexander's Church in Palos Heights. William Malysa, of the 12800 block of Irving in Blue Island, was charged with disorderly conduct.
During the 8:45 a.m. Mass, Malysa walked up the center aisle and began yelling at the priest, said Sergeant Tim Holder. Malysa used profanity and claimed that he was Jesus. He also made statements that had veiled physical threats, Holder said.
The entire incident lasted about 40 seconds. Malysa then left the church and was seen driving away in a silver SUV, Holder said.
Several hours later officers noticed a man walking about four blocks away from the church who they recognized as being a former Palos Heights resident, Holder said. A check of driving records revealed that he owned a silver SUV.
On March 30 police questioned Malysa at his home. When asked if he was at the church on Monday he replied, "Yeah, but that's my business," Holder said.
Witnesses positively identified him, Holder said. Malysa is not allowed near the church or school and faces charges if he comes near church property, Holder said.
St. Alexander School took precautions after the incident, according to a notice disseminated to parents by principal Cathy Biel. The school is placed in lock down from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. while Mass is occurring and students will not attend Mass with the general public until further notice.
Palos Heights police officers will also be stationed at the school at certain times throughout the day as they have been doing for the past week, Holder said.
Other security precautions detailed in the letter are as follows:
- The security system has been repaired.
- Recess for all students has been moved to a more secure area behind the school building. Teachers and staff will continue to supervise recess and keep their cell phones with them. There is a two-way radio outside for communication with the front office.
- Gym classes will stay indoors.
- Faculty has addressed student concerns.
- The possible installation of glass doors that would close the school off from the church vestibule will be explored.
Read: Palos Heights Police Blotter: Seven DUIs on Harlem Avenue
mom
1:15 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Why hasent a restraining order been filled against this person? Do not wait to take actions. Why is it every time some displeased person goes off , the students and the schools have to make all the changes. I am gald the church and school are staying safe but it is just not fair!!
St. Al Parent
5:39 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Mr. Lambert, As a parent of a St. Alexander student, I believe you have shown very poor judgment in publishing the details of the school's security plan. I would hope in the future that you would think long and hard before you would risk endangering children by revealing this type of information. Also, did you check with the school to verify that this information was correct before publishing it?
Dan Lambert
9:29 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Thanks for voicing your concerns, I appreciate you doing so. I don't believe any of the information I reported puts students at risk. They are basic measures and were reported to detail the efforts the school has gone through to address parents' concerns.
lucy goosey
7:58 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Did this fella ever give a motive for his actions? That's what I wonder. Also, how he must have left an impression on the PH police, enough that they recognized him as a former resident. Wonder what sort of history he has. Don't worry Mr. Lambert, I don't think you're responsible for a breach of security. You printed basic precautions. Not some clandestine preventative maneuvers! I understand your concerns St. Al Parent, but I would be more interested in why the school's security system needed to be repaired! How long was it broken?? I bet you pay them enough money to keep their security measures up to standards!
St. Al Parent
5:48 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Mr. Lambert, I disagree that you only printed basic measures. I believe that printing where the children are located during recess is endangering the children - that is the type of information that the general public does not need to know. It doesn't have to be clandestine preventative maneuvers to be be irresponsible. Additionally, the school parents were already aware of the efforts taken by the school.
8th Grader Present at Incident
7:22 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
I was present at the incident. I was scared out of my wits. But I'm glad that the school is taking so many precautions to protect my schoolmates, teachers, and me. This man is for sure a LOONEY tune!!!! lol! But I thimk we should give him the help he needs to further explain himself and his outburst threats.
gutsygirl
2:49 pm on Saturday, April 7, 2012
Dear 8th grade student....Sorry you had to witness something like that, but it looks like you have a well rounded view of the world. Keep it up, and stay safe!
Sandra
10:33 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
This man definitely has some issues, which should not be taken lightly. He obviously is full of anger. It would be nice, if before he acts out on what is bothering him so deeply, he is located and taken somewhere for the help he needs. At his age, it may be depression. He needs to be helped and cared for! Good job at protecting the students.