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Man charged with hate crimes after violent disruption during Shabbat service at New York synagogue
Larry Montes 46, arrested and charged with hate crimes
A 46-year-old man has been arrested and charged with hate crimes after a violent disruption during Shabbat services at New York’s Central Synagogue on Friday night.
Police identified the suspect as Larry Montes, from the city’s Bronx district.
Montes damaged synagogue property and, as security tried to remove him, “spat at and headbutted a security guard” police said.
A 63-year-old woman “suffered a small cut to her lip and injuries to her right forearm after being struck by the man,” an NYPD spokesperson also confirmed.
The incident unfolded just after 6 p.m., as the Kabbalat Shabbat service began inside Central Synagogue.
A live stream of the service captured the entire incident.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that Montes has been charged with “two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, along with other charges.”
Tisch posted on X:”Earlier this evening, an individual disrupted Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in Manhattan.
“As synagogue security was escorting him out, he struck a member of the congregation, damaged synagogue property, and then spit at and headbutted a member of the security team.
“An NYPD sergeant working a paid detail at the synagogue immediately stepped in and took the individual into custody.
“I have spoken with the rabbi of the synagogue, and I’m relieved that no one was seriously injured. Those who were hurt were evaluated at the scene and are doing well.
“There are no known additional threats at this time, and additional NYPD resources have been deployed to the synagogue. The investigation is ongoing.
“I understand the sanctity of this space and its meaning for congregants. Central Synagogue is where I grew up. In joy and in sorrow, it has always been a place of comfort and peace. What happened there tonight is deeply painful. A place of worship should never be a crime scene.”
In a statement posted on Facebook hours after the attack, Central Synagogue expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support following Friday’s “disturbing events.”
“We will keep on gathering for joyful, meaningful Judaism with our Central family every week,” the temple wrote, reaffirming their commitment to community and worship.
“He was screaming and yelling. I heard a loud pop … We thought it was a gun and people were a little shaken, but the security people were right on it,” said Susan Roane, who attended the service.
CBS News reported that another congregant Arlynn Greenbaum added, “When I saw he wasn’t armed, I mean, he was just ranting and raving and yelling. It looked like a maniac. But I wanted to go under cover. I mean, I thought, who the hell knows what he’s gonna do?”
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has previously faced criticism from some of the city’s Jewish community over his stance on Israel, condemned the attack.
“This despicable act has no place in our city, and our administration will do everything in our power to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe,” he said in a post on X.
Mamdani added that “New Yorkers must be able to observe their religion without fear of violence.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the attack “appalling.”
“Jewish New Yorkers have every right to worship openly, proudly, and without fear,” she said.
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