FBI: Device found outside LC Church in August 2015 was a bomb

The FBI field office in Albuquerque acknowledged Friday a device found outside a Las Cruces church in August 2015 was a bomb that malfunctioned and failed to detonate.

The device was found August 14, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church, located at 200 E. Boutz Road, across the street from Las Cruces High School.

Less than two weeks before that day, on the morning of August 2, 2015, a bomb was left inside a mailbox at Calvary Baptist Church. It exploded, sending debris more than 60 yards away. About half an hour later that morning, a second bomb exploded outside Holy Cross Catholic Church. It damaged the front door and a window.

ABC-7’s New Mexico Mobile Newsroom went to First Presbyterian moments after a groundskeeper found the suspicious device the morning of Friday, August 14, 2015.

The man called 911 and within five minutes, streets were closed, Las Cruces High was put on alert, and nearby businesses were evacuated.

At the time, investigators told ABC-7 the device was never a threat to the public.

The FBI is asking for help identifying a person of interest seen on surveillance footage walking near one of the churches bombed the morning of August 2, 2015.

It is also offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and the capture of those responsible.