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Bronx Man Charged in Central Synagogue Hate Attack

8/19/2026

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Summary

Larry Montes Charged

Federal prosecutors charged Bronx man Larry Montes with two hate-crime counts and one property-damage count for the Aug. 14, 2026 Central Synagogue attack.
He shouted “I am Hashem,” called worshippers “swine,” broke two $20,000 candlesticks, punched a 63-year-old woman and head-butted a Black security guard.
An NYPD sergeant arrested him; he is held on $10,000 bail, has pleaded not guilty and faces up to 40 years state and 20 years federal prison.

Summary

Mayor Vows Protection

Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the assault as despicable and vowed city action to protect Jewish New Yorkers.
Israel consul general Ofir Akunis said the mayor’s rhetoric directly incited the synagogue attack.
New York Police Department (NYPD) data show anti-Jewish hate crimes rose 8.5 % in the first seven months of 2026 versus the prior year.

History

Historical Context

The deadliest U.S. anti-Jewish attack occurred on Oct 27 2018 at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, where Robert Bowers killed 11 worshippers and wounded six. The shooting followed a post-2016 election surge in online antisemitism and a 57 % rise in hate incidents in 2017, prompting security upgrades. The 2026 Bronx Central Synagogue assault on Larry Montes mirrors this trend, spurring city officials to strengthen hate-crime legislation.

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Larry Montes Charged

Federal prosecutors charged Bronx man Larry Montes with two hate-crime counts and one property-damage count for the Aug. 14, 2026 Central Synagogue attack.
He shouted “I am Hashem,” called worshippers “swine,” broke two $20,000 candlesticks, punched a 63-year-old woman and head-butted a Black security guard.
An NYPD sergeant arrested him; he is held on $10,000 bail, has pleaded not guilty and faces up to 40 years state and 20 years federal prison.

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