Police say explosions could have injured


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LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A police spokesman in Las Cruces, New Mexico, says explosions yesterday outside two churches "had the potential" to cause serious injury.

Spokesman Danny Trujillo told The Associated Press that the two small blasts within 20 minutes and a few miles apart do not appear to be coincidental.

There were no injuries and only minor damage to the Calvary Baptist and Holy Cross Roman Catholic churches.

Gov. Susana Martinez promised that the "coward," as she put it, will be caught, telling reporters that if the intention was to bring fear to those who worship, it was a failed effort.

Authorities are working to determine who planted the explosives and have not said if more than one person is being sought.

The FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and New Mexico State Police are assisting with the investigation.

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065-a-06-(Anne Marie Sullivan, parishioner at Holy Cross Catholic Church, in interview Sunday)-"this loud explosion"-Anne Marie Sullivan, a parishioner at Holy Cross Catholic Church, says the explosion occurred during Sunday morning Mass. COURTESY: Las Cruces Sun-News ((mandatory on-air credit)) (3 Aug 2015)

<<CUT *065 (08/03/15)££ 00:06 "this loud explosion"

069-a-13-(Monsignor John Anderson, pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church, in interview Sunday)-"the glass doors"-Monsignor John Anderson, pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church, says he continued with the Mass after the explosion. COURTESY: Las Cruces Sun-News ((mandatory on-air credit)) (3 Aug 2015)

<<CUT *069 (08/03/15)££ 00:13 "the glass doors"

APPHOTO NMLCR104: 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, Aug. 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. (Robin Zielinski/The Las Cruces Sun-News via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT (2 Aug 2015)

<<APPHOTO NMLCR104 (08/02/15)££

APPHOTO NMLCR102: Las Cruces police officer Joseph Campa talks to Holy Cross Catholic Church parishioners on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015 in Las Cruces, N.M., after an explosion occurred at the entrance of the church during mass. Churchgoers were left shaken during Sunday morning services after authorities say explosions occurred less than 30 minutes apart outside two Las Cruces churches. (Robin Zielinski/The Las Cruces Sun-News via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT (2 Aug 2015)

<<APPHOTO NMLCR102 (08/02/15)££

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