Man Charged With Hate Crimes After Attack at Manhattan Synagogue

A New York man has been charged with hate crimes after allegedly attacking a congregant and security guard during Friday night Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in Manhattan.

Larry Montes, 46, of the Bronx, disrupted the service before synagogue security attempted to escort him from the building, according to police. He allegedly struck a 63-year-old congregant, damaged synagogue property, and spat at and head-butted a member of the security team. An NYPD sergeant working security at the synagogue arrested him at the scene. No one was seriously injured.

The NYPD has arrested Larry Montes, a 46-year-old man from the Bronx, in connection with this incident.

Montes has now been charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, among other charges. https://t.co/m8hzbYAx0x

— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) August 15, 2026

Montes faces two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, along with other charges. During his arraignment Saturday night, prosecutors said he admitted that his actions were religiously motivated and used antisemitic language when referring to Jewish congregants.

The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the attack. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who said she grew up attending Central Synagogue, described the incident as deeply painful and stressed that a place of worship should never become a crime scene. Police said there were no additional suspects and no ongoing threat around the synagogue.

The attack prompted condemnations from New York officials. Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the assault “horrifying,” while Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and Sen. Chuck Schumer also condemned the incident.

Police deployed additional security to Central Synagogue following the attack. The congregation returned for Shabbat services on Saturday.