Beaumont church unfazed by explosion

St. Stephen’s Episcopal to hold services after second device found in city blows up

BEAUMONT — Worship services will go on as usual this weekend at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, days after the church was damaged by the second explosive device found in the East Texas city in two weeks, the Rev. Steven Balke said Friday.

Beaumont Police and the FBI cleared the crime scene Friday afternoon, removing yellow caution tape intended to keep parishioners and gawkers away.

Police declined to release any further information about suspects or a device, which detonated between 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. Thursday. Officers were called to the church just after 9 a.m. Thursday about some “criminal mischief,” when they discovered the device, Chief Jim Singletary said Thursday.

The explosion broke a window and caused minor damage to exterior brick walls and bushes near the office door.

India Plowden, who watched from the window of the nearby dry cleaner as a stream of panicked parents picked up their children Thursday, said she wasn’t worried about a repeat incident here.

“I’m more concerned about another incident in another area,” she said. “I hope the community can just watch out for one another and be mindful.”

On April 26, an explosive device was found outside Starbucks on Dowlen Road, about a mile from the church on Delaware.

That package, which was left on top of a trash can outside the store, was found just before sunrise by an employee. Unlike the device at the church, the package found at Starbucks did not detonate.

Police confirmed that the package contained a “legitimate explosive device” and declined to reveal the contents of an accompanying note.

Singletary also declined to comment about a possible connection between the two incidents but asked residents to report any suspicious packages.

“We’re on alert,” said Patrick Davis, who was working at Beaumont Major League Barber Shop on Delaware Friday. “I’m not picking up any packages.”

He said fewer customers were coming in, and the area seemed less busy than on a typical Friday.

Janice Wooten, who works at State Farm in the shopping center next to the church, said she wasn’t concerned about coming to work but warned all of her grandchildren Thursday to not touch suspicious items.

“I told them all to be more careful, and not to pick up any packages that aren’t expected,” she said.

Lamar University announced on Friday it would have heightened security for this weekend’s graduation ceremonies.

“There is no credible threat at this time. We are just being overly cautious,” spokesman Daniel McLemore said. “It’s the smart thing to do.”

Beaumont Police, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating.