San Carlos Man Threatened Shooting At His Former Church: Police

SAN CARLOS, CA —A 79-year-old man was been arrested after hand-delivering four letters threatening to shoot up the San Carlos church that he'd once attended, authorities said.

His connection to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church was first reported by the Mercury News, hours after the San Mateo County Sheriff’s office announced Michaelson's arrest.

Michaelson also served as a part-time pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in San Mateo, part of the same network as Holy Trinity, according to the Mercury News. He was still listed as a pastor on Hope Lutheran's website until Friday afternoon, when his name and photo were apparently removed.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church received the letters between Jan. 7 and Jan. 16, containing threats to commit violence at the church on Sunday, Jan. 19. Michaelson, who dropped off each letter at the church, was identified using security footage after the church reported the threats to authorities, the Mercury News reported.

His letters revealed a "deeply rooted" anger against the church dating back to his time as a congregation member, the Mercury News reported, citing law enforcement.

Michaelson, a San Carlos resident, was arrested Thursday. He was booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility on suspicion of making terrorist threats and committing a civil rights violation, authorities said.

No weapons were found following a search of Michaelson's home, and there was no evidence connecting his alleged threats to a documented mental illness, according to the Mercury News.

Anyone with more information about the case was asked to call Detective Jerri Cosens at 650-363-4347.

Correction: an earlier version of this story misidentified the church where Michaelson reportedly worked as a part-time pastor.