Magda Flores grew up near La Isla cemetery about 3 miles south of Fabens. From the graves, she can see her grandmother's former home, a house still surrounded by cotton fields. There are generations of family buried at La Isla. Flores was back on Monday at their resting places after learning they were about 30-50 graves desecrated by vandals over the weekend.
"We have been here for generations. This is to us home," she said. "For someone to come and destroy and vandalize, I think these people are godless."
Authorities believe the vandals used a truck to break open the heavy wrought iron gate. Then one by one, vandals attacked grave sites. Some headstones were toppled while others were smashed. Throughout the day, families came to La Isla to check on their loved ones' resting places.
"When we buried them, we said, 'Rest in peace,'" said Flores. "How can they rest in peace? I think their souls are troubled, are tormented. It’s just so sad that anybody could come and do this."
The Diocese of El Paso was on hand to assess the damage and reassure families.
"We’re going to do as much as we can," said Jorge Vergen, Dir., Catholic Properties. "The ones that we can put back, we will. But there are some, unfortunately, that are made from pre-cast concrete. There’s nothing we can do. They’re going to have to be re-done."
The El Paso Sheriff’s Office has opened an investigation and the Diocese will prosecute if the vandals are caught.
It's something Flores will now add to her prayers.
"I think anyone who knows of anyone who’s bragging about doing this or thinks they’re very cool because they did this, turn them in. Give their names to the police."
Click here to see video of the damage at La Isla Cemetery: http://bit.ly/1MNVDRO
"We have been here for generations. This is to us home," she said. "For someone to come and destroy and vandalize, I think these people are godless."
Authorities believe the vandals used a truck to break open the heavy wrought iron gate. Then one by one, vandals attacked grave sites. Some headstones were toppled while others were smashed. Throughout the day, families came to La Isla to check on their loved ones' resting places.
"When we buried them, we said, 'Rest in peace,'" said Flores. "How can they rest in peace? I think their souls are troubled, are tormented. It’s just so sad that anybody could come and do this."
The Diocese of El Paso was on hand to assess the damage and reassure families.
"We’re going to do as much as we can," said Jorge Vergen, Dir., Catholic Properties. "The ones that we can put back, we will. But there are some, unfortunately, that are made from pre-cast concrete. There’s nothing we can do. They’re going to have to be re-done."
The El Paso Sheriff’s Office has opened an investigation and the Diocese will prosecute if the vandals are caught.
It's something Flores will now add to her prayers.
"I think anyone who knows of anyone who’s bragging about doing this or thinks they’re very cool because they did this, turn them in. Give their names to the police."
Click here to see video of the damage at La Isla Cemetery: http://bit.ly/1MNVDRO
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