Law enforcement officials and federal authorities are looking into an incident where an explosive device was thrown onto the porch of the Satanic Temple in Salem, Massachusetts, and the co-founder of that temple is convinced that whoever did it was well trained.
Lucien Greaves, co-founder and spokesperson for The Satanic Temple, wrote in an email to NBC10 Boston:
"Given the seriousness of the investigation and the clear, skilled professionalism of those involved, I am confident the perpetrator will not long remain unknown."
The Salem Police Department said the device was left at the Bridge Street temple around 4:14 a.m. Monday, damaging the building, according to NBC10 Boston.
No one was inside at the time, and the device wasn't discovered until staff arrived at the building around 4 p.m.
Despite limited details, authorities have asked the public to steer clear of Bridge Street between Beacon and Osgood.
The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad checked for other potential devices before determining there was no further danger.
The police department revealed it is investigating the situation alongside the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.
"It kind of fizzled out, but scorched some of the side of the house," Grieves told NBC10 Boston in an interview later Monday.
Neighbor Shawn Flynn couldn't enter his home for nearly three hours as law enforcement was on the scene.
"People heard a bang," recalled Flynn.
"From what I heard, there was a pipe bomb thrown," he said.
The temple has faced threats in the past.
Earlier this year, a man from Michigan was arrested for allegedly plotting an attack on the temple, according to the Salem Police Department.
Investigators stated that he had traveled to Salem at some point, possibly for planning purposes.
Police also mentioned that a man was charged in an arson case at the temple in 2022.
"About a year and a half ago, we had somebody set fire to the front of the house," Grieves noted.
He claims these attacks are fueled by misconceptions.
"There are people who have convinced themselves that we're involved with some kind of criminal activity," he said.
