NEW YORK, March 4 (UPI) -- A 48-year-old man allegedly attacked a priest at New York's Padua Church after just being released from prison for once setting fire to the building.
The New York Daily News said Calvin Bostick arrived at the church on Feb. 23, only 11 days after he was released from prison, and allegedly began to hit Rev. Christopher Ezeoke with a cane repeatedly.
While the 44-year-old priest eventually restrained Bostick until authorities could arrive, parishioners were shocked at the actions of the man sent to prison for torching the Catholic church back in 1999.
"I'm just in shock. I still remember Feb. 15, 1999, when the fire happened. I just don't understand why this man would come back," parishioner Maria Biordi-Walsh said.
A source said that Ezeoke had given Bostick change on several occasions prior to the attack and when he refused to do so on Feb. 23, the attack followed.
The paper said that Bostick, a lifetime felon, is facing up to 15 more years in prison if convicted of the assault.
