The Satanic Temple is profoundly grateful to its community after receiving an “outpouring of support” following a bombing incident on April 8.
At about 4:14 a.m. on April 8, a man wearing all black and a tan-colored tactical vest and gloves approached The Satanic Temple in Salem and threw a pipe bomb at the main entrance, according to a news release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The bomb, identified as an improvised explosive device or IED, partially blew up and caused minor fire and related damages to the exterior of The Satanic Temple, which also functions as an art gallery.
A man wearing a tactical vest threw a pipe bomb at The Satanic Temple in Salem on April 8, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts said. An Oklahoma man was arrested in connection with the incident.U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts
The pipe bomb appeared to have been constructed from a section of plastic pipe covered with metal nails, which were attached to the pipe with tape, according to charging documents. The inside of the pipe was filled with a powder-like substance which investigators preliminarily determined as smokeless gunpowder.
A single human hair was reportedly found on the pipe bomb containing the DNA profile of a white Caucasian male, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
A six-page handwritten note was found in a flower bed next to where the pipe bomb was found.
On Wednesday, Sean Patrick Palmer, 49, of Perkins, Okahoma, was arrested and faces charges related to the incident, according to acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy’s Office for Massachusetts.
Investigators obtained surveillance footage that reportedly identified a black Volvo sedan registered to Palmer that drove erratically in the vicinity of the temple before and after the bombing, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
They also found a photograph of Palmer, a white Caucasian male, posted to social media showing him wearing a tan-color tactical vest like the one worn by the suspect in the surveillance footage.
Charging documents also state that Palmer purchased PVC pipe on April 3 that matched the pipe used to construct the bomb from a home improvement retailer in Oklahoma.
“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Salem Police Department and Federal Investigators for their tireless efforts and dedication, which led to this apprehension,” The Satanic Temple wrote on Facebook.
The Satanic Temple, which opened its first official headquarters in Salem in 2016, and its members don’t view Satan as an evil figure, but as one who dared question authority. The group mostly advocates for the separation of church and state and is known for attempting to get its one-ton goat-headed idol statue put next to the 10 Commandments monument on public grounds.
The Satanic Temple headquarters moved into a Victorian-style home that was once a funeral parlor. The temple has a one-ton statue of Baphomet in back.
The Satanic Temple also thanked the Salem community.
“Furthermore, we wish to express our profound gratitude to the Salem community for the outpouring of support we have received during this challenging period. We deeply appreciate all who continue to stand with us as we navigate the ongoing developments in this case,” it read.
Many wrote on previous Facebook posts that they were glad everyone was safe.
“Glad no one was harmed,” Katana Sherrow wrote. “My husband and I have traveled to Salem twice now to see the Temple. Sad that people feel the need to do such things.”
“Sending you love and comfort. I hope no one was hurt during this time and nothing was damaged beyond repair,” Danian White wrote. “I’m so sorry people are so hateful. It’s what happens to good people trying to do good things for others. Ignorance is such a disease.”
Palmer is charged with using an explosive to cause damage to a building used in interstate or foreign commerce. He is scheduled to make an initial appearance in the Western District of Oklahoma on Thursday. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
Luis Fieldman contributed to this reporting.
