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Authorities investigate blast at anti-gay California church

Shooting near French mosque not terrorism-related, police say
Posted at 10:59 AM, Jan 23, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-23 13:59:31-05

EL MONTE, Calif. (AP) — The FBI and local police are investigating an explosion at a Los Angeles-area church that had been the target of protests for its anti-LGTBQ message.

Police say officers responding around 4:30 a.m. Saturday initially thought vandals had broken the windows of First Works Baptist Church in El Monte.

Officers then noticed smoke coming from inside and realized they had been blown out by a blast. No injuries are reported. Protestors have repeatedly targeted the church headed by Pastor Bruce Mejia, who has condemned same-sex relationships.

A statement on the church website calls homosexuality “an abomination.” Calls to the church went unanswered Saturday.