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Gallup Catholic school vandalized

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The Gallup Police Department is investigating a break-in at a local parochial school.

The Sacred Heart Catholic School was targeted between the evening of June 25 and morning of June 26.

The person or people involved broke a front window and then entered the school.

A statue of Jesus, the front window, at least two smart boards were vandalized, and an unknown number of computers were damaged at the elementary school. An estimate on the damage has not yet been released.

Suzanne Hammons, Communications Director for the Diocese of Gallup, said the incident is not being investigated as a hate crime. Hammons also requests for people to not speculate or blame any group for the incident.

“We haven’t found any graffiti or anything sprayed, so it might have just been somebody who was bored, or wanted to smash things, who knows. There’s not enough evidence to say it’s a hate crime,” Hammons said.

As of June 29, there are no leads or suspects in custody.

“I don’t know how the destruction of any property would benefit any one or any cause, let alone a tower of education and spiritual refuge like this,” Jamal Jawad said on social media about the incident.

Hammons said if anyone would like to help the school out financially, more information can be found on their Facebook page.

If someone is not in a position to help, the diocese requests for people to, “Say some prayers for us, say some prayers for the people that did it. Resorting to anger and blaming people is not productive,” Hammons said.

As for who is responsible for the incident, the diocese had the following message: “We forgive you, but we hope you turn your energies to being productive in the community, because this helps nobody,” Hammons said.

If you know anything about this crime, you are asked to call the Gallup Police at (505) 863-9365.

The Diocese of Gallup Facebook page is facebook.com/dioceseofgallup/.

By Dominic Aragon
Sun Correspondent

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