Justice Department Investigates Vandalism at California Catholic School
A federal investigation has been launched after a Catholic school in Long Beach, California, suffered extensive vandalism, including the destruction of religious artifacts and significant property damage. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced the probe on Monday, following reports of a deliberate and destructive break-in at Holy Innocents Catholic School.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Harmeet Dhillon, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that her division would investigate “this awful crime.” The incident has sparked outrage and concern within the local community and beyond.
According to school officials, the assembly hall, chapel, and classrooms were targeted in the attack. Statues were smashed, images of Mary and other religious figures were destroyed, and a photograph of the Pope was knocked to the floor. The extent of the damage is estimated at $100,000, according to reports from Fox 11.
The vandalism extended beyond mere destruction of property. Authorities discovered defecation on school grounds, along with partially consumed food and drinks left behind, providing potential DNA evidence for investigators to identify the perpetrators. Both local police and the FBI have been contacted and are assisting with the investigation.
“There are crucifixes. There are statues of the Blessed Mother. The tabernacle itself was taken and thrown on the floor and the Sacred House is there. That, to me, is more traumatizing than anything else. It’s not just the material things. It’s the heart behind the things,” said Cyril Cruz, principal of Holy Innocents school, in an interview with Fox 11. Cruz added, “evil is out there, so we need to pray.”
The incident has drawn condemnation from religious leaders and advocacy groups. Lila Rose, president of the pro-life organization Live Action, wrote on X, “Statues smashed. Images of Our Lady destroyed. The tabernacle thrown to the floor. This is one of the worst cases of vandalism the local bishop has ever seen. Hatred of Christ only destroys hearts. Pray for this school.”
A GoFundMe campaign launched to support the school’s recovery has already raised nearly $60,000 as of Tuesday morning. The fundraiser details the severity of the damage, stating that Bishop Mark Trudeau described it as “the worst case of vandalism that he’s ever seen in the region.”
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the motive behind the attack and bring those responsible to justice. The incident underscores the vulnerability of religious institutions to acts of vandalism and the importance of protecting places of worship.
