A man identified as Larry Montes, 46, faces hate crime charges after allegedly storming into the Central Synagogue in Manhattan and assaulting congregants and a security guard during a Friday evening Shabbat service. The incident occurred at the synagogue located on Lexington Avenue and East 55th Street.
During the alleged attack, Montes reportedly struck a 63-year-old woman, headbutted and spat on a 65-year-old security guard who attempted to intervene, and damaged two religious candles valued at $20,000. Police sources indicated that Montes was “boisterous, screaming and yelling” during the event. He 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 police resources have been increased around the synagogue. Montes, who is described by police as a known emotionally disturbed person, has a history of arrests for violent robberies. In July 2023, he was charged with robbery with a deadly weapon after allegedly pulling a knife on a Best Buy employee. In July 2019, he was charged with robbery, criminal possession of stolen property, and criminal possession of a controlled substance after an incident at a CVS where he assaulted a worker and was found with a crack pipe.
Montes' aunt, Myriam Montes, who lives in Puerto Rico, told reporters that her nephew has had issues related to religion and may have been mentally traumatized by his desire to belong to Judaism. She stated he "wanted to keep studying" and had a "dream he was pursuing." She also attributed his mental state to childhood trauma, including the death of his mother during childbirth. Montes' Facebook activity reportedly includes posts about Israel and Judaism, with images and reposted videos criticizing figures perceived as anti-Israel.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the attack, emphasizing that New Yorkers, particularly Jewish New Yorkers, should feel safe in their places of worship. He pledged to work towards eradicating antisemitism from the city.