Michigan City Man Accused Of Bringing Explosive Devices To Church In Alleged Murder Plot
Matthew Thomas Schutz, 41, of Michigan City, has been charged in LaPorte Superior Court 1 after police say he went to a Michigan City church with explosive devices while allegedly planning to kill a man attending the service.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on March 11, 2026 at approximately 5:56 p.m., the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a woman who stated she had a protection order against Matthew Schutz. She told dispatchers that Schutz was going to go to Full Gospel Church in Michigan City with explosives to shoot a man who regularly attended the church. She also reported that Schutz intended to go to her home afterward and kill her and her family.
Police were told Schutz was driving a red truck.
At approximately 6:06 p.m., an officer arrived at the church and observed a red 2005 Chevrolet Silverado parked in the lot. The officer entered the church and asked several individuals if they knew Schutz. The pastor indicated the only person he did not recognize was seated in the back of the room.
The officer approached the man and asked him to walk to the foyer. After identifying the individual as Schutz, the officer advised him he would be patted down and told him to keep his hands out of his pockets.
During the pat-down, the officer felt a cylindrical object inside the pocket of Schutz’s hooded sweatshirt and asked him about it. Schutz reportedly told the officer it was a firework. When the officer attempted to remove the object, Schutz allegedly said, “Fuck that,” pulled away, and began running toward the exit of the church.
Officers were able to gain control of Schutz and place him in handcuffs. During a search of his pockets, officers removed five black cylindrical objects with wicks.
While officers were handling the scene at the church, another officer went to a residence in the 600 block of East Barker Avenue and spoke with the woman who had made the 911 call. She showed officers text messages between her and Schutz that investigators said depicted multiple threats to kill the man at the church, the woman, her family, and himself.
Police later requested assistance from the Porter County Bomb Squad after learning that the woman had photographs and other evidence indicating Schutz had manufactured explosive devices at his residence in the 200 block of Brinkman Avenue in Michigan City.
A search warrant was obtained for the residence. Investigators reported locating items associated with the manufacturing and possession of explosive devices. A field test conducted by the Porter County Bomb Squad on powder recovered from the residence resulted in a presumptive positive for flash powder.
During an interview with detectives the following day, Schutz reportedly confirmed he made the threatening messages out of anger over the woman’s personal decisions. Investigators also said Schutz discussed his knowledge of manufacturing explosive devices and stated that one of the five devices he possessed at the time of his arrest could cause serious bodily injury.
Lodged in the Laporte County Jail.
Charges filed March 13,2026
• Attempted Murder — Level 1 Felony
• Possession of a Destructive Device or Explosive With Intent to Kill or Injure — Level 2 Felony
• Stalking — Level 5 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement — Class A Misdemeanor
