Killing of Lucas Leonard
| Killing of Lucas Leonard | |
|---|---|
The former Word of Life Church photographed in 2025 | |
Killing of Lucas Leonard (New York) | |
| Location | Word of Life Christian Church, Chadwicks, New York |
| Date | October 11, 2015– October 12, 2015 |
| Target | The Leonard brothers |
| Deaths | 1 (Lucas Leonard) |
| Injured | 1 (Christopher Leonard) |
| Assailants | Word of Life congregants, including family of Leonard |
| Charges | Manslaughter, assault, unlawful imprisonment |
| Convictions | 9 |
In October 2015, 19-year-old Lucas Leonard died from injuries sustained during repeated and severe beatings at the Word of Life Christian Church in Chadwicks, New York. The beatings were part of "spiritual counseling" for Lucas and his 17-year old brother Christopher, who survived with severe injuries. The two were repeatedly assaulted by a group of parishioners, which included church leaders and the Leonard brothers' parents and older sister.