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SALEM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Michigan man was arrested earlier this month for planning to bomb the Satanic Temple in Salem, officials said.
Luke Isaac Terpstra, 30, of Grant, Michigan, was charged with explosives — possession of bombs with unlawful intent on Jan. 2 after an investigation by the Grant Police Department.
Salem police said they were notified by Michigan law enforcement that Terpstra intended to target the Satanic Temple. They also learned Terpstra visited Salem in November, possibly for planning purposes.
Authorities said there is currently no indication Terpstra had local allies in Salem or acted with any accomplices.
"The City of Salem and the Salem Police Department recognize that it is frightening and concerning that there are individuals who would threaten or carry out violent attacks against others based on their beliefs and that we are a target," Salem police said in a statement. "On the one hand it is gratifying that our federal and local partners were able to thwart Terpstra. On the other, it is terrifying that he walked in our midst planning such violence."
Michigan State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are both actively involved in the ongoing investigation, police said.
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