A man who stormed a Manhattan synagogue on Shabbat claimed he was God before assaulting two people and causing significant damage, prosecutors revealed Wednesday. Larry Montes, 46, faces charges of criminal mischief as a hate crime and assault as a hate crime following the Aug. 14 incident at Central Synagogue.
During his arraignment, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Philip Klindt stated that Montes interrupted services by rushing toward the rabbi, shouting that he was "Hashem," the Hebrew term for God. Montes also admitted to police that the attack was "a racial thing."
The incident occurred at the start of a 6 p.m. Shabbat service. Montes allegedly spewed obscenities, knocked over religious candlesticks causing over $7,000 in damage, and then assaulted a 63-year-old female congregant by striking her in the face. When a 65-year-old security guard intervened, Montes allegedly spit in his face, headbutted him, and used a racial slur.
Montes was eventually subdued and taken into custody by an NYPD officer. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg attended Montes' arraignment and emphasized the need to protect places of worship.
"Places of worship should be safe havens, not scenes of violence and hate," Bragg said in a statement. "An attack on a house of worship threatens an entire community's sense of safety and the sanctity of these community pillars must be protected."
Montes, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of criminal mischief as a hate crime. He remains in federal custody and is scheduled to appear in court again on December 9.