Nevada Teen Brothers Accused of Setting Off Firework Inside Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Two 18-year-old brothers in Nevada have been arrested after police say they ignited a firework-type explosive in a church building.

Around 8 p.m. on March 27, first responders arrived at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Henderson for a report of an explosive device, according to Henderson Police.

Officers said brother Caden and Conner Renard ignited a “mortar-type” firework in the building, causing minor injuries to four people.

The four victims all underwent medical treatment and were released at the scene, officials said.

Steve Morris, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stake president, said the two teen brothers went into the church during a youth activity and allegedly threw the explosive device on the floor, KLAS-TV reported.

The device reportedly caused damage to the entrance carpet, the gymnasium and a religious painting.

Morris told KLAS-TV that this was the third time in the past several weeks that the location had experienced firework damage.

On April 11, the brothers were arrested and booked into the Henderson Detention Center. They were being held on a $1 million bond.

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Conner Renard was charged with 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 was charged with 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.

Officials said the investigation is active and ongoing, but they do believe the incident was not a “racially/ethnically motivated or a religious hate crime.”