Law enforcement officials filed hate crime charges against a 46-year-old Bronx resident following an incident at Central Synagogue in Manhattan during Friday evening religious services.
According to police statements, the man disrupted the Shabbat services, which were being livestreamed. As synagogue security personnel moved to escort him from the building, he struck a congregation member, caused damage to synagogue property, and subsequently spat at and head-butted a member of the security team. A police sergeant providing paid security at the synagogue took the individual into custody immediately. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reported that no one sustained serious injuries in the altercation.
Larry Montes of the Bronx was charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, along with additional charges. Following the incident, additional police security was deployed to the location, and religious services resumed the following day.
Municipal and state officials issued statements regarding the event. Mayor Zohran Mamdani characterized the assault as “horrifying” and stated that New Yorkers should be able to practice their faith without fear of violence. Governor Kathy Hochul, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer also publicly condemned the attack.
During Saturday services, Rabbi Rebecca Thau spoke to the congregation about the tension between focusing on religious practice and liturgy while confronting troubling aspects of the world around them.
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