New York police say a 46-year-old man is facing hate-crime charges after he disrupted Shabbat services at Midtown Manhattan’s Central Synagogue, assaulted two people and damaged synagogue property as he was being removed from the building.
Arrest and charges
Authorities identified the accused as Larry Montes, 46, of the Bronx. Police say he was taken into custody last night by a police sergeant who was working as a paid security detail at the synagogue. Officials reported no serious injuries.
| Charge | Count |
|---|---|
| Assault as a hate crime | 2 |
| Criminal mischief as a hate crime | 1 |
In a statement, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the sequence of events as security sought to remove the man from the sanctuary.
“As synagogue security was escorting him out, he struck a member of the congregation, damaged synagogue property, and then spit at and head-butted a member of the security team.”
Officials condemn the attack
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the incident “horrifying,” saying that all residents should be free to practise their religion without fear of violence. Several other senior officials issued similar condemnations, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New York Attorney General Letitia James and U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer.
Security at the synagogue was bolstered following the incident and services resumed the following day. Rabbi Rebecca Thau, addressing congregants after the disruption, acknowledged the clash between the sanctuary’s spiritual purpose and the intrusion of violence during worship.
Context and immediate impact
Central Synagogue, a prominent Reform congregation in Manhattan, was livestreaming the Shabbat service when the disturbance occurred. The presence of a uniformed, paid police sergeant on site enabled a swift detention, which officials say prevented further harm.
The branding of the alleged offences as hate crimes signals investigators’ view that the conductor of the assault targeted victims because of their religion. Hate-crime enhancements typically increase potential penalties and can affect prosecutorial strategy.
- Location: Central Synagogue, Midtown Manhattan
- Accused: Larry Montes, 46, of the Bronx
- Reported injuries: Two people struck; no serious injuries reported
- Security response: Arrest by a police sergeant on duty as synagogue security
Broader implications
The episode comes amid heightened concerns about attacks on houses of worship in the United States. Municipal and state leaders often respond quickly to such incidents to reassure communities and signal law-enforcement priorities.
Prosecutors will now pursue the charges against the accused and determine whether additional counts or related charges are warranted as the investigation continues. Police did not release further details about motives beyond their decision to charge the acts as hate crimes.
For congregations and security planners, the event underscores the challenges of balancing openness and safety in active houses of worship that broadcast services to remote audiences.
Authorities asked anyone with information to come forward as they complete their investigation. Court proceedings and prosecutorial filings will provide further details about the incident and the evidence supporting the hate-crime allegations.
