HENDERSON, Nev. (TCD) — Police recently arrested two 18-year-old brothers on suspicion of igniting a firework-type explosive in a church building last month.
On March 27 at around 8 p.m., personnel with the Henderson Police and Fire Departments responded to a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 800 block of Arrowhead Trail to a report of an explosive device. Police said brothers Caden and Conner Renard allegedly ignited a “mortar-type” firework in the building, causing minor injuries to four people who underwent medical treatment and were released at the scene.
Steve Morris, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stake president, told KLAS-TV that the two brothers went into the church during a youth activity and allegedly threw the explosive device on the floor. The device reportedly caused damage to the entrance carpet, the gymnasium, and a religious painting.
Morris also said this was the third time in the past several weeks that the location had experienced firework damage.
Officials booked the Renard brothers into the Henderson Detention Center on April 11. They each remain held on $1 million bond.
Connor Renard faces one count of battery with a deadly weapon, five counts of battery with use of a deadly weapon with substantial bodily harm, one count of first-degree arson, two counts of possess explosive device, two counts of possess explosive device components with intent, one count of possess explosive device in public area, one count of use explosive device in the commission of a felony, two counts of use of explosive device to damage/destroy property, two counts of burglary while in possession of a deadly weapon, two counts of damage religious property, two counts of coerce with force or threat of force, and one count of conspiracy to use explosive in commission of a felony.
Caden Renard faces six counts of battery with a deadly weapon, two counts of burglary while in possession of a deadly weapon, two counts of first-degree arson, three counts of possess explosive device, one count of possess explosive device components with intent, one count of use of explosive device in the commission of a felony, one count of use explosive device in the commission of a felony, two counts of coerce with force or threat of force, one count of possess explosive device in public area, two counts of damage religious property, and two counts of use explosive device to damage/destroy property.
The investigation is active and ongoing, but police said the incident does “not to appear to be racially/ethnically motivated or a religious hate crime.”
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Tyler Mitchell