Explosive Thrown Onto Salem Satanic Temple Porch: Police

SALEM, MA — An explosive that Salem police determined was thrown onto the porch of the downtown Satanic Temple early Monday morning caused some damage and forced the closure of Bridge Street while the incident was investigated late Monday afternoon.

No one was injured in the attack, which police said was believed to have happened at 4:14 a.m. but was not discovered until staff arrived at the temple about 12 hours later.

Police said State Police bomb technicians ensured that the device was no longer a danger and that bomb-detecting police K9s swept the building for other devices.

Anyone with information, or who may have seen something, was urged to contact the Salem Police Criminal Investigation Division at 978-745-9700 or to leave a tip at 978-744-0171 X. 50116. Callers may remain anonymous.

Police said they responded to the incident early Monday night. While they said the "situation has been contained" and there was no ongoing threat to the public, they did ask travelers to avoid Bridge Street between Beacon and Osgood.

Police updated at about 7:15 p.m. that the surrounding roads had reopened to traffic and the on-scene investigation had concluded.

"Thank you for your patience and cooperation," police said.

The Temple has been the target of several false bomb threats in recent years and was the target of a bomb plot by a Michigan man — who was found to possess explosives — in January, according to the Grant Police Department in Michigan.

The Temple was also the target of an arson attempt in 2022 in which the front door of the building was set on fire.

"Salem Detectives have worked closely with temple staff on investigating these threats and incidents," police said.