LOS ANGELES – A suspect was taken into custody after two Jewish men were shot just 24 hours apart as they were leaving their synagogues in Los Angeles’ Pico-Robertson neighborhood, officials said.
The Los Angeles Police Department told FOX 11’s Phil Shuman that both of the victims were shot at from moving cars.
The suspect was taken into custody Thursday night in Riverside County. Detectives recovered several items including a rifle and handgun. The case is now being investigated as a hate crime.
The first shooting happened Wednesday just before 10 a.m. in the 1400 block of Shenandoah Street. The victim, a man in his 40s, was trying to get in his car when the suspect pulled up in an unknown vehicle and drew out his handgun, firing at the victim, police said. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The second shooting happened in the 1600 block of S. Bedford Street around 8:30 a.m. Thursday, according to the LAPD. The victim was a male in his 70s who is currently in stable condition.
A community member who knows one of the victims said she believes the Jewish community is being targeted.
In response to the two shootings, Agudath Israel, an American organization that represents Haredi Orthodox Jews, said it is “greatly concerned over two shootings on consecutive days victimizing Orthodox Jews leaving their synagogues following morning prayers” and has been in contact with the LAPD and other local officials regarding the situation.
“While we do not yet know who the shooter(s) are, if the cases are related, or what the motivations may have been, Agudath Israel feels that these incidents should be investigated as hate crimes until we know otherwise. In the meantime, we ask all Los Angeles institutions to be especially vigilant in the days ahead. We pray for the complete recovery of the victims of these shootings,” the statement read.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles released a statement saying in part, “We have learned that the suspect has a history of animus towards the Jewish community and these incidents will be treated as hate crimes. As such, we are encouraged to also have learned that the U.S. Attorney will take the case and file federal charges on civil rights violations.”
“These attacks against members of our Jewish community are unacceptable,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote on Twitter, adding that her office is closely monitoring the situation and working with local community leaders to ensure the safety of all Angelenos.
Lili Bosse, the mayor of Beverly Hills, said that the Beverly Hills Police Department is placing extra security around houses of worship in the city after news of the two shootings.
Anyone with information was encouraged to contact 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.
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