A Year Later, Explosions at Two Las Cruces Churches Still Under Investigation
The FBI and its law enforcement and community partners marked the first anniversary of the unsolved explosions at two Las Cruces churches by asking the public to come forward with any information.
“No piece of information is too small,” Terry Wade, special agent in charge of the FBI Albuquerque Division, said. “Regardless of how insignificant a tip might seem, it could be the missing piece of the puzzle we need to solve this case.”
On August 2, 2015, explosive devices detonated at Calvary Baptist Church and Holy Cross Catholic Church. Nobody was injured.
On August 14, 2015, an undetonated device was discovered near the entrance of First Presbyterian Church and rendered safe. It is believed this device was placed within hours of the other two devices, either in the late hours of August 1 or early morning of August 2.
The FBI, working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Attorney’s Office; New Mexico State Police; Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office; Las Cruces Police Department; and New Mexico State University Police Department, is pursuing all possible leads regarding this matter.
Hundreds of interviews have been conducted.
Authorities are still looking for a person of interest in this case. A man was seen walking through the parking lot of Calvary Baptist Church around the time of the explosion there.
Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call the FBI at 505-889-1300, or Las Cruces Crime Stoppers (anonymously) at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by text to CRIMES (274637), keyword LCTIPS.
The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for these crimes.
Clear Channel Outdoor, Lamar Advertising and Newman Outdoor Advertising have been publicizing the FBI phone number and reward on their billboards around the city.
(Here is a link to the FBI wanted poster and a video showing the person of interest: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/person-of-interest)
