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One Week Later, Services Resume At Las Cruces Churches

http://youtu.be/zvDq1KmcEfE

While law enforcement continues the investigation into the explosions at two Las Cruces Churches last week, Sunday’s services were held as usual.

As people returned to service at Calvary Baptist Church and Holy Cross Catholic Church they recalled their experiences the week before.

“We just got interrupted about three quarters of the way through,” Randy Boyer said. “When the police came and said we need to get out of the building, so we all went out and of course, natural thing is to go to your car and they said no you can’t do that either.”

“I didn’t really realize a bomb had gone off,” Mark Trujillo said. “I thought maybe a transformer had blown or something like that, but it was quite traumatic out in the parking lot.”

“I was astonished when I heard that something this severe had happened,” Grace Montoya said. “And I was praying for everybody and hoping everybody was ok.”

“I had just gone into the building,” Jean Hassenpflug said. “And someone came into the choir room and said that had happened, so then they came in and said we have to evacuate.”

One week later, people from both churches were glad they could return to their normal services.

“We’re just happy that everybody is safe,” Aran Armstrong said. “And everyone is back to normal. Glad to be back.”

“It’s good to get back,” Boyer said. “Because it kind of felt like we never finished last week, so it’s good to make it through the whole week with everything back to normal.

“I was just thankful that nobody was hurt and you just go on,” Mark Trujillo said.

“This morning when I woke up I said we’re going just like normal,” Gonzalez said. “This shouldn’t hold anybody back from using their faith as a tool to help them through this.”

People at both services also said they were thankful for the first responders who were on the scene last week and are continuing the investigation.

“I was really impressed with how they handled the whole thing,” Jeanne Hassenpflug said. “And the staff of Calvary about evacuating and taking care of people who didn’t have a way to get home.”

“The first responders were really good,” Randy Boyer said. “They helped us out, and made sure we all got back home along with the other parishioners.”

“They responded really quick,” Mark Trujillo said. “I saw them, their presence this morning on the way to church. There was some cops parked up on the ditch bank, and I saw people moving around out here during Mass. So, I know there was people here, and we had two uniformed officers on the inside.”

While people at both services were ready to get back to normal, they also are staying aware of their surrounding.

“You always want to be vigilant,” Mark Trujilo said. “And you want to keep your eyes open all the time. But you have to live a life.”

“You know I think everyone has concerns no matter where they go,” Aran Armstrong said. “Whether, it’s the mall, or bus stations, or schools, I think everyone is being a little more careful these days.”

Law enforcement is asking anyone with information on the explosions to call the FBI tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
 

Samantha Sonner was a multimedia reporter for KRWG- TV/FM.