Las Crucens concerned after suspicious device found at churc

let’s get right to our top story tonight. we’re learning more about the suspicious device that was found in front of a las cruces church. cg map the device was found friday morning at first presbyterian church on the 200 block of boutz. it’s across the street from las cruces high school. this is just two weeks after bombings at two other las cruces churches. the fbi is now investigating to see if the incidents are related. abc-7’s jerry najera was in las cruces today he’s live with the latest. jerry? evan josie a member of the church who was there when the suspicious device was found tells me he clearly saw it was a pipe with batteries and a timing device. police haven’t confirmed what type of device was found–but there’s no doubt–this is all very alarming for the entire community: on august 2nd this was the scene at calvary baptist church after an exlposive went off. a short while later another explosive device goes off at holy cross friday morning, it was a similar scene at yet another church: first presbyterian. the three incidents has las cruces residents concerned. “finding it at a church it’s just kind of crazy that people could be heartless to place it at a place of prayer” “it definitle makes me fear for my life” authorities say grounds keeper found a suspicious device at around 9:30 friday morning. he called 911 and within minutes police closed off streets- nearby businesses were evacuated las cruces high school which is located across the street was on lockdown. isaac olivas has two daughters that attent the school. “as soon as i got word that the put a bomb across the street well it can turn your life around” he tells m what his daughter experienced inside the school. “they kept them i the class room they didn’t let them out at all and had them in for a few hours brought them lunches too just to kind of accomadate them” the dona ana sheriffs bomb squad dismantled the device and no one was injured. the fbi is now conducting the investigation and interviewed several people saturday morning. las crucens hope all churches follow police advice–and add more security: “preparing for the wors scenario just kind of pre screening the whole environment the day before and the day of” “they coul have some type of police squad giving out surveillance to help them out” worshipers like bruc jackson say it’s all about vigilence. ” don’t think we need police officer or people carrying guns i don’t think that necessary but i do think we have to use wisdom and we have to have usher and the security team to surround the church and be watchfull and all the people that attend church have to be watchful” one of the church members who was there when they found the device told me he was shocked. saying that area of the church where the device was found is used by the las cruces high school marching band. even telling me he’s seen students taking a break sitting in that exact spot where the device was found. las cruces police plan to conduct k-9 sweeps of churches and places of worship over the next couple of days looking for suspicious items. if you have any information on any of the devices you’re asked to call the fbi. evan josie. jerry, thank you. let’s hope they get the information they need. fire crews were busy battling a house fire this