Video Screengrab / WRBZ
CV NEWS FEED // On July 29, three teenagers were caught on camera vandalizing St. Alphonsus Ligouri Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. One teenager was arrested two days later.
The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office reported that the suspects damaged playground property and broke a shed door’s handle.
According to a Baton Rouge local news source, WBRZ, one of the teenagers turned himself in on the morning of July 31. He has been charged with criminal trespass, damage to property, and attempted simple burglary.
Church leaders declined to comment but noted that the situation is under control and the investigation is being handled by deputies.
Merv Bell, a resident living across the street from the church, expressed his surprise at the incident, noting that the neighborhood has been safe for the past 20 years.
“I always thought it would be very safe out here,” he told WBRZ. “So when I heard we’ve been vandalized across the street from my home I was perplexed. I thought who would do that to the church?”
CatholicVote has compiled a tracker documenting all incidents of vandalism or violence targeting U.S. Catholic churches, which has recorded over 400 attacks since 2020.
