The Calgary Police Arson Unit was called to investigate after a Molotov cocktail was thrown through the window of a southwest Calgary church early Thursday morning, January 9, 2025.
Police said they were notified of a fire at 4:35 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 10923 24 St. SW.
When they arrived, they discovered that a Molotov cocktail had been thrown through a window of the building.
Fortunately, firefighters were able to extinguish the fire quickly.
Congregation member Gustov Mesen, who has lived in the area for seven years, told Global News the church had been targeted by vandals several times over the past year.
There has been graffiti on the walls around the building, people have been vandalized by throwing the contents of these industrial vacuum cleaners in front of the doors and numerous bags of dog waste have been thrown on the roof out front. from the church and all along the lawn as well,” Mesen said.
He estimates about 400 people attend the Mormon church and describes the vandalism as an attack on their religious freedom.
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“We don’t really mess with anyone. We love to exercise our faith and practice our beliefs the way we love to do. I know a lot of people aren’t very friendly toward people of my faith, and I’ve experienced that my whole life,” Mesen said. “It kind of prevents us from exercising our freedom of speech and being able to believe what we want.”
A hole in the window of a Mormon church in southwest Calgary after police say someone threw a Molotov cocktail at the building early in the morning of Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
Church communications director Greg Stringham said that fortunately, “the building’s alarm systems detected it very quickly – and thanks to the emergency response personnel who arrived very quickly – damage was minimal. »
He just hopes the police can find out who is responsible, so church members can understand their reasons.
Church communications director Greg Stringham, seen here examining some of the glass shattered by the wind, said he had no idea why the church had been targeted.
Global News
Police say the CPS Hate Crime Prevention Team is working alongside investigators.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.calgarycrimestoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers app, P3 TIPS, available on your app store.
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