Joint Statement by Mayor Pangallo and Chief Miller following arrest in Michigan

On January 2, 2024, after an investigation by the Grant Police Department in Michigan, Luke Isaac Terpstra, age 30, of Grant was arrested and charged with Explosives - Possession of Bombs with Unlawful Intent.

According to Michigan law enforcement his intention was to target the Satanic Temple in Salem. At this time, both the Michigan State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, are actively involved in this ongoing investigation. We have also learned that at some point in November, Terpstra traveled to Salem, possibly for planning purposes. There is currently no indication that he had local allies in Salem or that he acted with any accomplices.

The City of Salem and the Salem Police Department recognize that it is frightening and concerning that there are individuals who would threaten or carry out violent attacks against others based on their beliefs and that we are a target. On the one hand it is gratifying that our federal and local partners were able to thwart Terpstra. On the other, it is terrifying that he walked in our midst planning such violence. It is for this reason, we maintain a presence on the Joint Terrorist Task Force (JTTF), we maintain an explosive ordinance detection K9, we participate with our partner agencies in the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC), we train our officers for such an attack, and we carry additional armor in our cars. Regardless, an attack such as Terpstra was planning keeps us up at night.

This is also why it is so important that if someone is a witness to suspicious activity or learns of threats, they contact the police department immediately. The City of Salem sincerely thanks the Grant Police Department and all of the state and federal law enforcement partners who helped thwart what could have been a nightmare in our city.

The Salem Police Department will continue to patrol sensitive locations, investigate criminal activity, and continue its successful partnerships with other law enforcement agencies.

Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo and Police Chief Lucas Miller believe it is important that the people of Salem be aware of this arrest and its connection to our city. Salem is a diverse, vibrant, and welcoming community and the City and the Police Department of Salem are committed to ensuring the safety of all who live in, work in, or visit our community.