Antisemitic Synagogue Attack
Manhattan Synagogue Attacked During Shabbat Services; Suspect Faces Hate Crime Charges
Key Points
Gov. Kathy Hochul described the assault as 'appalling' and said she was grateful the suspect is in custody and that no one was seriously injured.
The attack takes place within a broader pattern of antisemitic hate crimes in New York City, with Jews being targeted far more than any other group.
A related incident last month involved a screwdriver stabbing of a Jewish man outside the Upper West Side, underscoring ongoing threats to Jewish communities in NYC.
City officials, including Julie Menin and Mark Treyger, condemned the attack and pledged solidarity with Jewish residents and ongoing action to protect the community.
A man stormed Central Synagogue on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan during Friday night Shabbat services, punching a 63-year-old congregant and headbutting a security guard in what police are calling an antisemitic attack, according to Times of Israel. The suspect, 46-year-old Larry Montes, was taken into custody on the spot by an NYPD sergeant on duty. No one was seriously hurt.
Montes faces two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, according to NBC New York. He allegedly spat at a security guard and damaged two synagogue candles worth $20,000 each. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who grew up attending the synagogue, said those hurt were evaluated at the scene and are doing well.
How the Attack Unfolded Inside the Synagogue
Montes entered Central Synagogue as the congregation was gathered for Shabbat services. Security staff spotted him and moved to escort him out of the building, according to JTA. During that removal, Montes punched a 63-year-old congregant and headbutted a security guard. He also spat at the guard before being detained.
An NYPD sergeant who was on duty at the scene made the arrest immediately, NY Post reported. The two candles Montes allegedly destroyed were each valued at $20,000. Commissioner Tisch said a place of worship should "never be a crime scene." Officials confirmed there are no known additional threats at this time.
City and State Leaders Quickly Condemn the Attack
Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the attack and pledged increased security for Jewish New Yorkers. Governor Kathy Hochul called the assault "appalling" and said she was grateful the suspect is in custody. City Council members Julie Menin and Mark Treyger also denounced the attack and pledged solidarity with the Jewish community.
Commissioner Tisch, with a personal connection to the synagogue, made clear the city would not tolerate antisemitic violence. Officials said the investigation remains active. Police and city leaders stressed that Jewish residents should feel safe in their houses of worship.
A Broader Wave of Antisemitic Attacks in New York City
Friday's attack did not happen in a vacuum. Jews are targeted in hate crimes far more than any other group in New York City. Just last month, a Jewish man was stabbed with a screwdriver outside his home on the Upper West Side, underscoring the ongoing danger facing Jewish communities across the city.
The pattern has alarmed officials and community leaders for months. City leaders say they are working to add more security presence at synagogues and Jewish institutions. But advocates warn that arrests alone are not enough to stop the rise in antisemitic incidents, according to JTA.
What Charges Montes Now Faces
Montes was charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, according to NY Post. The hate crime designation means prosecutors believe the attack was motivated by bias against Jewish people. If convicted, he could face significantly harsher penalties than for standard assault charges.
Police said the case is being treated as an active investigation. The NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force is involved. Officials have not released any information about a possible motive beyond the antisemitic nature of the attack, as reported by Times of Israel.
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