A man has been charged with a hate crime for allegedly attacking attendees at a New York City synagogue during Friday evening prayers. Larry Montes, 46, of the Bronx, disrupted Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in Midtown Manhattan, assaulting a 63-year-old woman and a 65-year-old security guard as he was being escorted out.
The woman sustained an injury to her lip, and the security guard was spat on and headbutted, according to police. Montes also allegedly damaged synagogue property. The incident was captured on a livestream.
Footage from the event showed attendees reacting with alarm as Montes was escorted out by security personnel and later, New York Police Department officers assigned to protect the place of worship. Attendees were instructed to remain calm.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced that additional officers would be deployed to the synagogue. New York City is home to nearly one million Jewish residents, the largest Jewish population outside of Israel.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the attack, stating he was horrified and that attacks during religious services cause pain and fear for the congregation and Jewish New Yorkers. He emphasized that all New Yorkers should be able to practice their religion without fear of violence.
Montes faces charges including two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime. \n\n
