Federal and local authorities are investigating vandalism and an explosion that happened Saturday night at a Los Angeles County church that was recently the subject of controversy over the language against the LGBTQ community and other minority groups.
According to NBC’s affiliated station in Los Angeles, KNBC, El Monte police and FBI officials responded overnight to reports of an IED attack on the First Works Baptist Church.
Police chief David Reynoso said later Saturday that an “improvised explosive device” was believed to be the source of the explosion, and that authorities had also found obscenities and the words “get out” were sprayed on the front of the church. The New York Times.
Laura Eimiller, a spokeswoman for the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said authorities have not yet taken anyone into custody in connection with the explosion and officials have not yet set a motive.
“We have not ruled out anything,” she added, the Times reported.
KNBC added that no injuries had been reported in the explosion.
The FBI field office call on Twitter for public assistance in identifying those responsible for the attack, adding a contact number so people can send tips with any relevant information.
The FBI responded overnight with @elmontepolice & @LASDHQ to a #IED attack on the 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 person responsible, call 3104776565. #SeekingInfo pic.twitter.com/LobrjbrZtx
– FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) January 23, 2021
According to the Times, Bruce Mejia, the First Works pastor, reported to police about two weeks ago that it had received an arson attack on social media.
The church has been the subject of criticism in the community, ed a petition a call to the mayor of El Monte to recognize the church as a hate group and “get 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 includes the Southern Poverty Law Center noted includes individuals who have called for the executions of LGBTQ people.
In 2019, Meija was one of the speakers at 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 has also claimed that the Black Lives Matter movement has a ‘bad agenda’ and has characterized women as inherently ‘weak’.
Local LGBTQ rights organization Keep El Monte Friendly initially scheduled 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 injured in this tragedy,” the group wrote a statement on Instagram. “Our movement was designed to bring light and awareness to the hateful rhetoric taught by this group. We understand that what they preach can upset people. However, we will never promote, encourage, or condone violence or acts of evil.” ‘
Reynoso added on Saturday, “There is no way we can say that anyone involved in the demonstrations is involved in or responsible for this crime.”