Federal and local authorities are investigating vandalism and an explosion that took place overnight in a church in Los Angeles County, which was recently the subject of controversy over the language against the LGBTQ community and other minority groups.
According to NBC’s subsidiary station in Los Angeles, KNBC, El Monte police and FBI officials responded overnight to reports of an IED attack at First Works Baptist Church.
Chief of Police David Reynoso said later Saturday that an “improvised explosive device” was believed to be the source of the blast, and that authorities also found obstacles and spray-painted the words “get out” in front of the church, according to The New York Times.
Laura Eimiller, a spokeswoman for the FBI’s field office in Los Angeles, said authorities had not yet arrested anyone in connection with the blast and that officials had not yet determined a motive.
“We did not rule anything out,” she added, the Times reported.
KNBC added that no injuries were reported in the blast.
The FBI’s field office post a call on Twitter for public assistance to identify those responsible for the attack, add a contact number for people to submit tips with relevant information.
The FBI responded overnight with @elmontepolice & @LASDHQ to a #IED attack at First Works Baptist Church in El Monte, CA. Bomb Techs and the FBI’s evidence team continue to process the scene. If you have a tip about the responsible party, call 3104776565. #SearchInfo pic.twitter.com/LobrjbrZtx
– FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) 23 January 2021
According to the Times, Bruce Mejia, the pastor of First Works, reported to police about two weeks ago that he had received an arson attack on social media.
The church is subject to criticism in the community, and a petition an appeal to the mayor of El Monte to recognize the church as a hate group and ‘take them out of our city’ has received more than 15,000 signatures.
First Works is part of the New Independent Fundamental Baptist Movement, an international network of churches that Southern Poverty Law Center noted contains individuals who asked for the execution of LGBTQ people.
In 2019, Meija was under a speaker list during a “Make America Straight Again” conference in Orlando, Florida, two days after the third anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub massacre.
According to the Times, Meijia also claimed that the Black Lives Matter movement had a ‘wicked agenda’, and characterized women as inherently ‘weak’.
The local LGBTQ rights organization Keep El Monte Friendly initially planned a protest at the church on Saturday morning, but later canceled the event in response to the bombing.
“We are deeply shocked and hope that no one was hurt during this tragedy,” the group wrote. a statement on Instagram. “Our movement was intended to shed light and awareness on the hateful rhetoric that this group taught. We understand that what they preach can upset people. However, we will never promote, encourage or condone any violence or acts of violence. .
Reynoso added on Saturday: “We can in no way say that anyone connected with the protests is involved or responsible for it.”