On Friday night, Shabbat, an unhinged man entered a Manhattan synagogue and launched an antisemitic attack on congregants.
According to police, Larry Montes, 46, allegedly punched a congregant before headbutting a security guard and spitting on him.
NYC Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch noted, “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.”
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…
— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) August 15, 2026
The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is investigating.
Watch:
Footage from tonight’s attack inside NYC’s Central Synagogue.
Thankfully this lunatic has been arrested. pic.twitter.com/t9RfZZBg1T
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) August 15, 2026
Commissioner Tisch shared that Montes has been charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, among other charges.
The NYPD has arrested Larry Montes, a 46-year-old man from the Bronx, in connection with this incident.
Montes has now been charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, among other charges. https://t.co/m8hzbYAx0x
— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) August 15, 2026
The Gateway Pundit reported that, while Commissioner Tisch recently bragged about a drop in crime in the Big Apple in a press release, the statement buried a rise in hate crimes that are overwhelmingly committed against the city’s Jewish community under radical NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
While Jewish New Yorkers make up only 10% of the city’s population, more than half of the confirmed hate crimes were anti-Jewish, with hate crimes against Jewish New Yorkers increasing by 8.5% so far this year.
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