Vandals target predominantly Black church in northeast El Paso

EL PASO, Texas -- Parishioners at Destiny Family Christian Center in northeast El Paso found vandals had broken glass by throwing rocks through the main entrance.

In a statement on Sunday, the church called it an "apparent act of hate during the broader conversation in our culture about the importance of Black Lives."

El Paso police have not publicly stated that they are investigating the vandalism as a hate crime, but a spokesperson for Destiny Family Christian Center is suspicious of the timing.

"Throughout our nation’s history, vandalism of predominantly black churches, the center of our community, has been a common tactic used to intimidate us," wrote a spokesperson for the church in a statement. "Even in the face of racism and bigotry, we are committed to continue embodying the Gospel of Love and Grace as we have done for over 32 years."