Larry Montes Admits Anti-Semitic Motive in 375-Person Central Synagogue Attack

Q: What triggered a man's sudden, violent outburst that turned a peaceful Manhattan Shabbat service into a scene of panic?

What set off the violence appears to have been a confrontation after Larry Montes became disruptive inside the sanctuary. Prosecutors and police say he entered Central Synagogue as Shabbat services were beginning, sat briefly, then stood up shouting, moved toward a restricted area and the rabbi, and struck or damaged ceremonial candlesticks. Security then intervened and began escorting him out. That removal appears to have triggered the physical attack. As security tried to take him out, authorities say Montes punched a 63-year-old woman, then spat at and head-butted a security guard while also damaging synagogue property. Court papers and the Justice Department say he used anti-Jewish and racist slurs during the incident and later described his actions as racially and religiously motivated. So while no single personal grievance has been publicly established, the clearest factual account is that the outburst was sparked when synagogue security confronted him after he began shouting, moving into a nonpublic area, and disrupting the service. Investigators have also said he has a history of mental-health issues, but the criminal charges and his alleged statements point strongly to bias as a central factor in the attack.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 19

Federal prosecutors said Larry Montes, 46, told investigators in a recorded post-arrest interview that the synagogue attack was "all a racial thing" and "all religious motivated."
During last week's Shabbat service at Manhattan's Central Synagogue, attended by 375 people, Montes allegedly shouted anti-Jewish obscenities, damaged two ceremonial candlesticks, punched a female congregant and assaulted a security guard.
The guard, who is Black, was also subjected to a racial slur before Montes allegedly spat in his face and head-butted his eye socket; prosecutors said Montes threatened to return later.
Montes now faces two federal hate-crime counts and one count of destroying religious property causing bodily injury—carrying up to 30 years in prison—alongside separate state charges, and remains in custody.