CRIME

Northeast El Paso church vandalized in an 'apparent act of hate' early Sunday morning

Aaron Martinez
El Paso Times

A Northeast El Paso church, which has a predominately Black congregation, was vandalized early Sunday morning.

The Destiny Family Christian Center, 9615 Dyer St., had a large stone thrown through the glass of its main entrance, church officials said on Facebook.

“While we cherish our multicultural Destiny family, we are known as a prominent ‘Black church’ in El Paso,” church officials said in a post on their Facebook page. “In an apparent act of hate during the broader conversation in our culture about the importance of Black Lives, vandals threw a large stone through the glass of our main entrance.”

El Paso Police Department officials said officers responded about 2 a.m. to an alarm call Sunday morning and found glass breakage to a door. Officials added that officers completed a criminal mischief report.

Police said no suspects have been identified.

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Destiny Family Christian Center, 9615 Dyer St., Monday, June 15, in Northeast El Paso.

In their statement, church officials discussed racism that Black churches have faced throughout history.

“Throughout our nation’s history, vandalism of predominantly black churches, the center of our community, has been a common tactic used to intimidate us,” the statement said. “Even in the face of racism and bigotry, we are committed to continue embodying the Gospel of Love and Grace as we have done for over 32 years.”

It continued, “We hope the hearts of those responsible are healed even as they are held accountable for this dishonorable act.”

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, tweeted her support for the church and the need to combat racism.

"I stand with the Destiny Family Christian Center community against this heinous act," Escobar tweeted. "As our beautiful #ElPasoStrong continues to heal from tragedy, we must remind ourselves that it’s on all of us to speak out against hate, racism, and intolerance."

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Aaron Martinez may be reached at 915-546-6249; aamartinez@elpasotimes.com; @AMartinezEPT on Twitter.