Bomb thrown at anti-gay church near Los Angeles: FBI Nelson Oliveira
The FBI is investigating an explosion Saturday at a controversial anti-gay church that has been the target of angry protests in a community just east of Los Angeles.
Federal agents and local police said the attack involved an “IED,” or “improvised explosive device.” The building was also vandalized, but no one was injured, authorities said.
An FBI spokeswoman said it was too early to call the incident a hate crime, but she told The Associated Press that such a charge is “always going to be considered as a theory when a house of worship is attacked.”
Bomb Explodes at California Church Known for Hateful Views
Officials said no one was injured in the attack. The church had been the target of protests over its messages against women, Jews, L.G.B.T.Q. people and the Black Lives Matter movement.
The authorities are investigating an explosion that happened early on Saturday at First Works Baptist Church in El Monte, Calif.Credit.KCAL9
Jan. 23, 2021
The F.B.I. and local authorities are investigating a bombing on Saturday morning at a church in Los Angeles County that had recently been the target of protests for its extremist views against L.G.B.T.Q. people, women and the Black Lives Matter movement.
No injuries were reported, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said. Officials didn’t immediately detail the extent of the damage inside the church east of downtown Los Angeles.
FBI technicians are working with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad and the El Monte Police Department during the initial investigation, Eimiller said.
She said it was premature to call the incident a hate crime, but “that’s always going to be considered as a theory when a house of worship is attacked.”
Calls to First Works Baptist Church were unanswered Saturday.
Protestors have repeatedly targeted the church headed by Pastor Bruce Mejia, who has condemned same-sex relationships.