Police in Richland Township, Pa. say a 26-year-old man killed his grandmother while she ate breakfast, then claimed the Archangel Michael told him to do it.
Connie Johnston, 76, was eating breakfast with her husband, the Rev. David Johnston, on Tuesday morning when her grandson, Levi Daniel Staver allegedly came up behind her and fatallystabbed her in the back with a black Bowie knife, according to KDKA-TV.
Authorities say Staver, who lived at the home, later told them he was sitting at the computer in his bedroom when the Archangel Michael directed him to “kill the witch,” Pine-Richland Patch reported.
Staver also allegedly told authorities that before the stabbing, he made the sign of a cross, got dressed like a soldier, grabbed the knife and said, "This thing has got to go," the Tribune Democrat newspaper reported.
Following the incident, Staver “got into a struggle with his grandfather, who threw Staver out of the house where he was taken into custody by officers," according to the paper.
Staver was charged with criminal homicide. Officers told the Associated Press that the family had previously had concerns about the suspect's mental health.
Officers also said they have been called to the family's home in the past, but did not specify why, according to WPXI-TV.