A 46-year-old Bronx resident has been arrested and charged with multiple hate crimes following a violent disruption of Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in Manhattan on Friday evening, according to the NYPD. Larry Montes entered the sanctuary on Lexington Avenue in Midtown during the religious service and caused a disturbance that left congregants in panic.
Montes moved toward the bimah shouting phrases including "Nobody here is real!" and "Do you know who I am?" as he proceeded up the central aisle, according to witnesses and police accounts. Congregants reported fear as loud noises from the disruption prompted some to initially fear a gunshot. Security personnel immediately moved to escort him from the building.
As the synagogue's security team was removing Montes, he struck a 63-year-old woman in the face, according to the NYPD. The woman sustained a small laceration to her lip and injuries to her right forearm. During the same incident, Montes headbutted and spat on a security guard, police said. He also damaged synagogue property, including Shabbat candle holders valued at approximately $20,000.
An NYPD sergeant working a paid detail at the synagogue immediately took Montes into custody at the scene. No one was seriously injured in the incident, according to police.
Montes faces two counts of assault as a hate crime, one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, and additional charges stemming from the assault. The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the incident. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch responded to the attack via social media, stating that "a place of worship should never be a crime scene" and noting that "what happened there tonight is deeply painful."
Tisch added that she had spoken with the rabbi of the synagogue and was "relieved that no one was seriously injured," though those who were hurt were evaluated at the scene. She emphasized her personal connection to the building, saying "Central Synagogue is where I grew up. In joy and in sorrow, it has always been a place of comfort and peace."
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the attack in a statement, saying that "this despicable act has no place in our city, and our administration will do everything in our power to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe." Governor Kathy Hochul also issued a statement reiterating that Jewish New Yorkers have the right to worship openly and without fear.
The incident comes amid reported elevated levels of antisemitic incidents in New York City. Police indicated that additional resources would be deployed to protect the synagogue and monitor the security situation. Central Synagogue, located at 652 Lexington Avenue, is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in New York City and has been an anchor of Manhattan's Jewish community since 1872.
In a statement posted to Facebook hours after the attack, Central Synagogue said it was grateful for the outpouring of support. "We will keep on gathering for joyful, meaningful Judaism with our Central family every week," the synagogue wrote, emphasizing its commitment to continuing worship and community life despite the incident.
The NYPD said there are no additional threats at this time.
