Southeast Texas church reopens after explosion

A Southeast Texas church has reopened a day after a package bomb exploded by the front door, causing minor damage but drawing a swarm of investigators.

Beaumont police and federal agents took down the yellow crime scene tape Friday afternoon at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Beaumont’s West End. Police declined to give any further information on the investigation of the bomb, which detonated sometime between 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. Thursday. Neighbors reported hearing a boom about 2 a.m. Thursday but saw nothing unusual.

No injuries were reported.

The bomb was the second to be found in Beaumont in as many weeks. Authorities said a similar device was found unexploded outside a Beaumont Starbucks store on April 27. Police have disclosed no motives or links between the two.