Deputies: Bomb squad at scenes of 2 Las Cruces churches

Parishioners at Holy Cross tell ABC-7 that the 8 o’clock mass was just getting started when the explosion in the trash bin went off, shattering the stained glass windows.

A bomb squad has been sent to two separate churches in Las Cruces on Sunday after explosions were reported, according to CBS affiliate KDBC in El Paso, Texas.

A mailbox was blasted at Calvary Baptist Church in Las Cruces, about 100 miles from the Mexico border, around 8 a.m. local time, the police statement said. “I mean, I knew it had to be more than a gunshot”, he said, according to the Las Cruces Sun News. But it was very loud and I just kept on saying the words.’.

Authorities are now working to determine who planted the explosives and whether the blasts were related. Parishioners were gathered inside the church at the time of the explosion, but services had not yet begun, the statement said.

Holy Cross Catholic church pastoral associate Elizabeth Behnke informs parishioners of ride arrangements and that their cars must be left at the church until the parking lot is searched, on Sunday, August 2, 2015 in Las Cruces, N.M. Churchgoers were left shaken during Sunday morning services after authorities say explosions occurred less than 30 minutes apart outside two Las Cruces churches.

“Just the fact that they were at churches the same day a half and hour apart or so, that leads us to believe it could be something related”, he said.

However, police spokesman Dan Trujillo said they are still investigating.

An investigation is ongoing, however, police still do not know what type of explosives were used.