ABC-7 at Noon: Las Cruces church explosions update

morning mass was violently disrupted for dozens of parishioners in las cruces. holy cross catholic church and calvary baptist church are only three-and-a-half miles apart. the first explosion happened at 8-19 in the morning in a calvary church mailbox at 18- hundred locust street. the second happened at 8-41 in a garage bin at holy cross catholic church on north miranda street. new today– we’re getting a closer at the damage left behind at calvary baptist church- abc-7’s jamie warren is live there with our new mexico mobile newsroom. jamie? it’s quiet outside here today at calvary baptist church. there’s still a small amount of debris on the lawn and on concrete from the explosive that went off here yesterday. but for the most part everything is cleaned up. investigators worked through the night into early this morning, taking measurements and evaluating evidence outside of calvary baptist church there is one security camera in the entry way of the church pointing near the mailbox were the explosive was detonated the administrative office uses that security camera to look at who’s entering the front door but church leaders tell me it doesn’t record video one member of calvary baptist church says he hopes new security measures will be put in place after yesterday’s attack john brenner: ‘i hope so because i mean it’s been a situation that i wouldn’t expect here. it’s a quiet city and for something like this to happen it kind of shakes you. but for two churches the same day 30 minutes apart, it’s kind of ironic but also in a way planned.” i’ll be back with more at the bottom of the hour, including one church member’s hopes moving forward after yesterday’s attack. the explosive at holy cross catholic church was placed in a trash can near the front entrance of the church. we’re told it went off during mass. law enforcement officials say the explosives were not firecrackers and were meant to harm people. no injuries were reported. again both churches remain closed today. holy cross schools are also closed for the day. in a news conference in las cruces yesterday– governor susana martinez– who was visibly upset marla ridgeway– who lives three houses away from calvary baptist church describes the moments after an explosive went off outsisde the church. she says the commotion forced her out of bed. like the rest of the community– she has so many questions today. good afternoon and thanks for joing us for abc-seven at noon. i’m denise olivas. our top story this hour– sunday morning mass was violently disrupted for dozens of parishioners in las cruces after separate explosions. holy cross catholic church and calvary baptist church are only three-and-a- half miles apart. authorities have not said if the two incidents are related. the first explosion happened at 8-19 in the morning in a calvary church mailbox at 18- hundred locust street. the second happened at 8-41 in a garage bin at holy cross catholic church on north miranda street. the focus now turns to analyzing the massive trove of evidence collected today. abc-7’s jamie warren is live from our new mexico mobile newsroom. jamie? denise, there’s still a small amount of debris outside here at calvary baptist church. you can see this wall that was freshly painted now has a lot of scrapes after that explosive went off yesterday investigators worked until about midnight combing through the lawn and taking pictures and measurements of the scene one witness told me that mail box was ripped off the wall after that explosive detonated lead pastor kevin glen tells me parts of that mailbox flew over a woman’s head there is one security camera above the church entryway that points toward the mailbox but i’m told it only provides a live picture and doesn’t record video. it’s only used so the administrative office can see who’s entering through the front doors. john brenner, a member of calvary baptist church says he hopes sunday’s attack won’t stop people from attending their house of worship. john brenner: “i don’t think we have a fear. i just hope we can get back to our church and worship god as our place of worship. i hope that the investigation ends soon so people can get back and van get to a normal routine and normal life.” :14 secs. leaders at calvary church tell me there will be a meeting tomorrow between elders and staff to discuss the next step towards increasing security measures live from calvary baptist church with our new mexico mobile newsroom, jamie warren abc7 the explosive at holy cross catholic school was placed in a trash can near the front entrance of the church. we’re told it went off during mass. law enforcement officials say the explosives were not firecrackers and were meant to harm people. no injuries were reported. again both churches remain closed today. holy cross schools are also closed for the day. u.s. senator martin heinrich — the new mexico democrat — says he is grateful no one was hurt in yesterday’s church explosions. he issued the following statement : “let us all make absolutely clear that new mexico will not tolerate violence against our houses of worship or attempts to spread fear and division among us. the way this community has responded, coming together to find strength in one another and in their faith, is an example we should all look to as we make clear that we all stand with our friends in las cruces.” our new mexico mobile newsroom will continue looking for answers. our complete coverage of the church explosions continues in our later newscasts — look for the very latest starting on abc-7 at 4. you can also look for any developments online at kvia.com and on our facebook page — look for kvia.com another live look