CLAYVILLE, NY - Clayville residents living near the Word of Life Church that became the location of a suspicious death described the religion as a cult with 'bizarre' events occurring at the site.

According to the New Hartford Police Department, the church was the site where 19-year-old Lucas Leonard was beaten by his parents, Bruce T. Leonard, 65, and Deborah Leonard, 59. Lucas later died from his injuries.

His 17-year-old brother, Christopher, was found severely injured.

Police have identified a motive, but Lt. Timothy O'Neill declined to comment on whether the parents believed the teens were abusing children.

"There's always been weird things going on," said Julie Howard, who lives near the church on Oneida Street. "You always hear dogs, they're breeding dogs. The cops have been called there before, they're not allowed in the building, they can't get in the building.

The cult thing over here has been going on for a while, I guess around 30 years. It's their own religion. Everybody stays in their own religion. It's like one big happy family of about 30 of them."

O'Neill mentioned that both victims were brutally beaten with objects and physical force.

Four other church members were arrested, including Joseph Irwin, 26, David Morey, 26, Linda Morey, 54, and Sarah Ferguson, 33. They are all facing assault charges.

"We have some ideas as of what was used," he said. "I don't want to get into the specific weapons. But punching and kicking were also a part of the trauma that the these two young men were exposed to."

Christopher is expected to recover and is cooperating with police.

O'Neill said there are other potential suspects and additional charges will be filed.