SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO
Shots fired at Las Cruces church; no injuries reported
Bullets struck entrance of St. Genevieve Catholic Church
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LAS CRUCES 鈥� Parishioners arriving ahead of morning Mass at St. Genevieve Catholic Church discovered several bullet holes lodged in the front entrance to their sanctuary Monday.
At least five bullet holes were visible after a Las Cruces Police Department investigation, the rounds having penetrated the decorative glass panels of the entrance doors.
Staff at the church confirmed that no one was injured, and it was not clear when the gunfire took place. The discovery was made sometime after 6 a.m. when the first parishioner arrived for the recitation of the Holy Rosary. Staff members declined an interview.
The church is a historical landmark in Las Cruces. The original church was built over and around a smaller parish church downtown in 1859 and served until the deteriorating structure was condemned and demolished in 1967. The congregation then moved to the present church鈥檚 location on the 100 block of Espina Street.
Parishioner Lorenzo Alba said he and his wife attend morning Mass at St. Genevieve every day and were shocked to see the bullet holes at the front doors. Mass took place as scheduled, with participants admitted through an alternative entrance.
Alba said it underscored long-running concerns he has felt about threats and attacks on places of worship.
鈥淭hese things continue to happen,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hese things have been happening in Catholic churches, in mosques, and other churches for so long; and when we do see it in the news, everyone brushes it aside. There鈥檚 no room for hate. Everyone has the right to worship the way they want to. We go to church to have a space of peace and worship.鈥�
Las Cruces Police Department spokesperson Salina Madrid confirmed that police were investigating the gunfire, which appeared to have taken place overnight. No additional details were available.
The Journal has reached out the Diocese of Las Cruces for additional information.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Algernon 顿鈥橝尘尘补蝉蝉补 is the Journal鈥檚 southern New Mexico correspondent. He can be reached at adammassa@abqjournal.com.
