FBI Seeks Information About Church Bombings

February 26, 2016

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for bombings at churches in New Mexico.

Audio Transcript

Mollie Halpern: The FBI is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for bombings at churches in New Mexico.

The bombings—which could be related—happened about 20 minutes apart at churches in Las Cruces on August 2, 2015. No one was hurt.

Special Agent Liliana McDowell-Schnell responded when a bomb placed in the mailbox of the Calvary Baptist Church exploded.

Liliana McDowell-Schnell: It was a chaotic moment. People were just standing around wondering what had happened. Why them? Why the church? Everybody was scared.

Halpern: Surveillance video shows a man walking near the church at the time of the explosion. Investigators say this person of interest may have information. They are looking to identify and speak with him.

A second bomb detonated during mass at the Holy Cross Catholic Church.

A third bomb was found at a Presbyterian church, but it malfunctioned and did not activate.

If you have information about this case, call your local FBI office.

McDowell-Schnell: We’re in this for the long haul—we’re not going to give up.

Halpern: With Wanted by the FBI, I’m Mollie Halpern of the Bureau.

Related information:

-Seeking Information poster