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Two churches and their congregations

The person at the center of this case

Two churches and their congregations

Case
#408
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Mar 15, 2026
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Albuquerque Field Office
Cold Case · Open
11 years waiting · since 2015

LAS CRUCES CHURCH BOMBINGS

Justice for Two churches and their congregations — the trail went cold in 2015, but the truth hasn't.

Start here

Key leads to think about

🎯
suspect
Lead #1

Who is the man in the surveillance video wearing plaid shorts, blue T-shirt, and hiking boots carrying a package near Calvary Baptist Church?

🔍
evidence
Lead #2

What was the nature of the devices used in both explosions and were they constructed identically or with similar materials?

💡
clue
Lead #3

Why were both churches targeted and what is the connection between Calvary Baptist Church and Holy Cross Catholic Church?

On August 2, 2015, two churches in Las Cruces, New Mexico were bombed within 20 minutes of each other—Calvary Baptist Church at 8:20 a.m. and Holy Cross Catholic Church approximately 20 minutes later. No injuries occurred and damage was minor, but authorities believe the incidents may be connected. The FBI seeks to identify a man captured on surveillance video near Calvary Baptist Church wearing plaid shorts, a blue T-shirt, and hiking boots, carrying a package or bag, and is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Case
#408
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Mar 15, 2026
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Albuquerque Field Office

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More leads to consider

Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.

⏰
timeline
Lead #4

How was the 20-minute interval between explosions determined and does it suggest planned coordination or spontaneous second attack?

Have information about any of these leads?

Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.

Official wording

Source Narrative

Person of Interest Las Cruces, New Mexico August 2, 2015 The FBI and its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners are asking for the public's assistance in identifying a man who may have information regarding the bombings of two churches in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on August 2, 2015. On Sunday, August 2, 2015, at approximately 8:20 a.m., a device at the Calvary Baptist Church detonated.

A detonation at the Holy Cross Catholic Church was reported about 20 minutes later. No one was injured in either explosion, and the resulting damage was minor.

It is possible that the explosions were related. The man recorded on the surveillance video below was seen walking to and from Calvary Baptist Church around the time of the explosion.

He was wearing plaid shorts, a blue, short-sleeved T-shirt and hiking boots. He was carrying a package or bag.

Authorities are calling this man a person of interest because he may have information regarding the explosion at the Calvary Baptist Church.

Timeline of Events

🔍
2015-08-02
08:20

Calvary Baptist Church Explosion

Device detonated at Calvary Baptist Church at approximately 8:20 a.m.

🔍
2015-08-02
08:40

Holy Cross Catholic Church Explosion

Device detonated at Holy Cross Catholic Church approximately 20 minutes after the first explosion

Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case

Case Information

Incident:August 2, 2015 at 8:20 AM
Last Updated:October 21, 2026

Up to $50,000 Reward

For information leading to the resolution of this case

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Case Information

Incident:August 2, 2015 at 8:20 AM
Last Updated:October 21, 2026

Up to $50,000 Reward

For information leading to the resolution of this case