Overview
- Video showed a man shouting and moving down the aisle at Central Synagogue before security escorted him out and an NYPD sergeant working a paid detail took him into custody.
- Police identified the suspect as 46-year-old Larry Montes of the Bronx and charged him with multiple counts including assault as a hate crime and criminal mischief.
- A 63-year-old congregant suffered a small cut to her lip and forearm injuries and a member of the security team was spat on and headbutted; both were evaluated at the scene and not seriously hurt.
- The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force opened an active investigation and officials say there are no known additional threats while extra police resources remain deployed at the synagogue.
- City and state leaders strongly condemned the incident and community leaders linked it to a recent rise in anti-Jewish attacks in the city, raising calls for more protections for places of worship.