A Bronx rapper has been accused of brutally killing a cat as part of a ritual sacrifice aimed at promoting his fledgling music career. Police have identified David Mosley, 26, who goes by the name Church of Ubbal, and arrested him on Thursday.
Law enforcement noted that his behavior appeared to be influenced by a notorious Norwegian black metal band, Mayhem, whose history includes shocking violence, including the murder of a band member.
Leading up to his arrest, Mosley made claims about performing Satanic rituals to draw attention to his upcoming rap album. He became agitated when approached by a reporter and photographer after his social media video drew condemnation.
In a now-deleted Instagram post from October 16, a photo of the dead cat was shared, along with a threat of another “living sacrifice” on Halloween.
He reacted defensively during a livestream, insisting that the animal was already dead when he filmed the content, dismissing the outcry as a misunderstanding.
Neighbors expressed concern about his behavior, describing him as erratic and loud, with one saying, “He’s crazy… I can’t believe someone like that lives here.”
Sources indicated that he has been charged with criminal mischief, aggravated animal cruelty, and improper disposal of dead animals.
Experts have cast doubt on Mosley’s claims, arguing that signs in the photo suggest the cat had been in distress. A cat rescuer pointed out, “Open mouth, blood, it wasn’t a peaceful ending.”
City Council member Joanne Arriola voiced her concern for the animals harmed by Mosley, stating that she had raised the issue with NYPD. She also remarked on the troubling patterns seen in cases like this, linking animal cruelty to more severe forms of violence.
