Hate Crime Charges Filed
Terror on Rosh Hashanah Eve: Florida Man Charged After Allegedly Burning Down Synagogue
A 31-year-old Florida man was charged with arson and criminal mischief after allegedly setting fire to the Chabad of Charlotte County days before Rosh Hashanah, an attack prompted by anti-Jewish rants and reported to police by his own family.
A Florida man has been formally charged with arson and a hate crime after allegedly setting fire to the Chabad of Charlotte County just days before the start of the Jewish High Holy Days, Rosh Hashanah.
Blake Richard Hoover, 31, was arrested by Punta Gorda police on Monday and made his first court appearance on Tuesday morning. He faces charges of arson and criminal mischief for the attack that caused extensive damage to one of the synagogue’s classrooms on Friday night.
Hoover was held without bond on the arson charge pending a pretrial detention hearing, while a $25,000 bond was set for the criminal mischief charge.
According to police reports, the investigation was spurred after members of Hoover’s own family contacted law enforcement, expressing concern that he might be the culprit. His mother told police that Hoover frequently engaged in anti-Jewish rants and that she noticed a gas can was missing from their property, which heightened her suspicions.
Police allege that on Friday night, Hoover cut a hole through a window at the Chabad center to gain entry. He then used an accelerant to start a fire in an empty children’s classroom. In an act that police believe demonstrates hate, Hoover also spray-painted the letter “J” on the walls and sidewalks of the property.
The timing of the attack, coming right as the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, was underway, added an intense emotional layer to the criminal act. Despite the significant damage, the local rabbi confirmed that the fire did not prevent the community from proceeding with its planned holiday celebrations, emphasizing resilience in the face of the attack.
The case has been classified as a hate crime due to the clear intent and targeting of the Jewish house of worship, and authorities are moving forward with the prosecution as the community seeks to recover from the traumatic event.