{"id":6576,"date":"2026-08-15T04:10:39","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T04:10:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=6576"},"modified":"2026-08-15T04:10:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T04:10:39","slug":"lunatic-punches-nyc-synagogue-congregant-headbutts-and-spits-at-security-guard-in-antisemitic-attack-nypd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=6576","title":{"rendered":"Lunatic punches NYC synagogue congregant, headbutts and spits at security guard in antisemitic attack: NYPD"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

A hateful lunatic barged into a Manhattan synagogue on Friday evening, assaulting a congregant and headbutting a security guard in a deranged antisemitic attack, police said. <\/p>\n

Read more \u2018Married at First Sight\u2019 star Ryan de Nino dead at 40<\/a><\/p>\n

Larry Montes, 46, allegedly launched the unhinged attack at Central Synagogue on Lexington Avenue and East 55th Street during Shabbat services, according to police and sources. <\/p>\n

He walked to the front of the synagogue around 6 p.m. and began acting disorderly, law enforcement sources said.<\/p>\n

Security stepped in and began to escort the man outside \u2014 but not before he allegedly slugged a 63-year-old congregant in the face, the sources said.<\/p>\n

Montes, of the Bronx, also allegedly headbutted and spat at a security guard and broke two religious candles valued at $20,000.<\/p>\n

An NYPD sergeant working a paid detail at the house of worship took Montes into custody. <\/p>\n

Harrowing livestream\u00a0footage of the service shared to X\u00a0shows Montes in a rage, shouting erratically at the front of the synagogue.<\/p>\n

An object off camera is then heard shattering, causing the congregation to collectively cry out.<\/p>\n

Montes is then seen being escorted out down the aisle as he screams and forcefully throws his fists into the air.<\/p>\n

The alleged antisemite was charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime. <\/p>\n

\u201cI have spoken with the rabbi of the synagogue, and I\u2019m relieved that no one was seriously injured,\u201d NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a statement. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere are no known additional threats at this time, and additional NYPD resources have been deployed to the synagogue,\u201d added Tisch, who attended the same synagogue as a kid.<\/p>\n

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Tisch said she spoke to the synagogue\u2019s rabbi following the incident and confirmed \u201cthose who were hurt were evaluated at the scene and are doing well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand the sanctity of this space and its meaning for congregants. Central Synagogue is where I grew up,\u201d the commissioner wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn joy and in sorrow, it has always been a place of comfort and peace. What happened there tonight is deeply painful. A place of worship should never be a crime scene.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gov. Kathy Hochul called the assault \u201cappalling\u201d and is \u201cgrateful the suspect is in custody and that no one was seriously injured.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJewish New Yorkers have every right to worship openly, proudly, and without fear,\u201d Hochul wrote on X.<\/p>\n

Similarly, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was \u201chorrified by the assault at Central Synagogue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI can only imagine the pain and fear an attack like this, during Shabbat services, causes for the congregation and for Jewish New Yorkers across our city,\u201d Hizzoner said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery New Yorker must be able to observe their religion without fear of violence. This despicable act has no place in our city, and our administration will do everything in our power to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Attorney General Letitia James said her \u201cheart is with the Central Synagogue community this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe assault during services at Central Synagogue today is appalling and unacceptable,\u201d James said on X.<\/p>\n

Read more Five people killed after Michigan maniac goes on bloody shooting spree<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cNo one should feel threatened in their place of worship.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Larry Montes, 46, allegedly launched the unhinged attack at Central Synagogue on Lexington Avenue and East 55th Street during Shabbat services, according to police and sources. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6575,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6576","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-metro"],"yoast_head":"\nLunatic punches NYC synagogue congregant, headbutts and spits at security guard in antisemitic attack: NYPD - Metro Transit Review<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=6576\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Lunatic punches NYC synagogue congregant, headbutts and spits at security guard in antisemitic attack: NYPD - 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