Explosive device thrown at Satanic Temple, Salem police say

Police and federal authorities are investigating after an explosive device was thrown onto the porch of the Satanic Temple in Salem, Massachusetts.

The Salem Police Department said the device was left at the Bridge Street temple around 4:14 a.m. Monday, damaging the building.

No one was inside at the time, and the device and damage were not found until staff got to the building around 4 p.m., police said. While initially giving few details, police asked the public to avoid Bridge Street between Beacon and Osgood.

"Given the seriousness of the investigation and the clear skilled professionalism of those involved, I am confident the perpetrator will not long remain unknown," Lucien Greaves, co-founder and spokesperson for The Satanic Temple, wrote in an email to NBC10 Boston.

The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad responded, checking for other devices and determining there was no further danger, according to the Salem Police Department.

"It kind of fizzled out, but scorched some of the side of the house," Grieves told NBC10 Boston in an interview later Monday.

A spokesperson with the Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed it is also involved with the response. The police department said it was investigating alongside the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Officers could be seen taking items out of the building.

"People heard a bang," recalled neighbor Shawn Flynn. "A lot of people chalked it up to a truck hitting a pothole, only louder."

Flynn couldn't enter his home for nearly three hours as police investigated.

"From what I heard, there was a pipe bomb thrown," he said.

The temple has suffered threats before. Earlier this year, a Michigan man was arrested for allegedly planning an attack on the temple, as the Salem Police Department noted Monday. Investigators said at some point he traveled to Salem, possibly for planning purposes.

"This year, we've gotten a number of threats, a number of bomb threats," Grieves said.

Police also noted that a man was charged in an arson case at the temple in 2022.

"About a year and a half ago, we had somebody set fire to the front of the house," Grieves said of that incident.

He says these attacks are fueled by misconceptions.

"There are people who have convinced themselves that we're involved with some kind of criminal activity," Grieves said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Salem Police Department at 978-745-9700. Anonymous tips can also be left by calling 978-744-0171, Ext. 50116.