New York City man charged with hate crimes after alleged synagogue assault

Larry Montes, a 46-year-old New York City man, has been charged with hate crimes after allegedly assaulting a woman and a security guard during Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in Manhattan on Saturday evening. Police stated that Montes disrupted the services, struck a 63-year-old woman causing a laceration to her lip and injury to her forearm, damaged synagogue property, and assaulted a security team member. The incident was captured on a live stream of the service. Montes faces charges including two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime. The NYPD's hate crime taskforce is investigating, and city and state officials have condemned the attack, emphasizing the right to worship without fear.

Hate crime charges have been filed against Larry Montes, 46, for disrupting Shabbat services at Manhattan's Central Synagogue on Friday night. During his removal by synagogue security, Montes allegedly struck a congregant, damaged property, spit at, and head-butted a security team member. A police sergeant on paid detail took Montes into custody; no one sustained serious injuries. Montes faces charges including assault and criminal mischief as hate crimes. Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and Senator Chuck Schumer have condemned the attack, emphasizing the right to religious observance without fear. Additional police security was deployed, and services continued on Saturday.