A 46-year-old man, identified as Larry Montes, was taken into custody Friday evening after allegedly launching an antisemitic attack at Central Synagogue in Manhattan. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. during Shabbat services.
According to police and sources, Montes began acting disorderly at the front of the synagogue, located on Lexington Avenue and East 55th Street. When a security guard intervened to escort him out, Montes allegedly struck a 63-year-old congregant in the face. He also reportedly headbutted and spat on the security guard. Two religious candles, valued at $20,000, were broken during the altercation.
An NYPD sergeant working a paid detail at the synagogue apprehended Montes. The suspect, who is from the Bronx, was charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that no one was seriously injured and that the individuals who were hurt were evaluated at the scene and are doing well. Tisch, who is a former congregant of Central Synagogue, issued a statement expressing the pain caused by the incident and emphasizing that places of worship should not be crime scenes. Additional NYPD resources have been deployed to the synagogue.
Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the assault as "appalling" and expressed relief that the suspect is in custody and that no one was seriously harmed. Mayor Eric Adams called the act "despicable" and assured that the administration would work to ensure the safety of Jewish New Yorkers. Attorney General Letitia James also shared her support for the synagogue community, calling the attack "appalling and unacceptable."
Harrowing livestream footage from the service showed Montes shouting erratically before an object shattered, causing congregants to cry out. Montes was then seen being escorted out of the synagogue.
Authorities have stated there are no known additional threats at this time.