Patrick Zane Thompson allegedly threw the family dog into a BBQ smoker as a sacrifice to repent for his daughter's t-shirt that "had to do with the devil."
An Arizona barbecue catering business owner allegedly threw his family's dog into one of the company’s BBQ smokers as a sacrifice to repent for his daughter’s t-shirt that “had to do with the devil,” officials said.
Patrick Zane Thompson, 42, allegedly became upset when he came home on Saturday and saw the shirt his 17-year-old daughter was wearing, KPHO reported.
Allegedly believing it had to do with the devil, Thompson made his daughter take the top to their large, lit BBQ traveler that was parked in the side yard, authorities said.
After Thompson threw the shirt into the fire, he allegedly became more erratic and went back into the Goodyear home, where he demanded that he needed to make a sacrifice of a male.
Relatives reportedly told police that Thompson said that meant either his firstborn 6-year-old son, the family’s small, white poodle or Thompson himself would have to go into the fire.
The family tried to escape but could not grab the dog in time.
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Thompson allegedly told police he broke the dog’s neck and strangled it before putting the dog in a “lake of fire.” The pup was found dead inside the smoker.
Police found Thompson lying on the sidewalk saying that he had to “do it for God” and that the “devil made him do it.”
He allegedly told officers that he had smoked marijuana earlier in the day and began to have an “episode,” KPHO said.
Thompson, who served as right guard for the Arizona State Sun Devils in the 1990s, owns the food truck and catering business, the Raging Cajun Smoking BBQ.
The eatery reportedly said Monday that its owner is “suffering from a deeply mental problem from being over stressed from the business.”
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A Facebook post apparently written by Thompson’s oldest daughter said the business would remain open, writing they were not “going to let this situation get to us were(sic) not gonna let the deceiver the devil get us down.”
The post appeared to have been removed by Tuesday. Calls made to the business by InsideEdition.com were not returned.
Friends took to Thompson’s Facebook page to voice their concerns for his and his family’s well-being and offer their prayers and support.
“Remember we are all here for you!” one person wrote.
“Stay strong Pat,” another person said. “God is with us even in difficult times.”
Thompson’s wife of 21 years allegedly asked that he be charged.
He was booked on charges of animal cruelty, assault, threats against his family and tampering with evidence, authorities said.
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