Two shot in Sephardi synagogue 'hate crime'

Two Jews arriving for prayers at the Sephardi synagogue of Adat Yeshurun Valley, Hollywood, California, USA, are in stable condition following a shooting today. Police are treating the incident as a hate crime, the LA Times reports (with thanks: Heather):

Two worshipers at a North Hollywood synagogue were shot this morning in an attack Los Angeles Police Department detectives are investigating as a hate crime.

The shooting occurred at 6:20 a.m. at the Adat Yeshurun Valley Sephardic synagogue, at 12405 Sylvan St.

LAPD Deputy Chief Michel Moore said the shootings occurred in the underground garage of the temple. A man coming to the temple for worship parked his car in the lot and was approached by suspect who Moore said was wearing a black hoodie.

"Without any words," Moore said, the suspect shot the man in the leg. Then the gunman fired on a second man who had arrived for prayers. That second victim was also wounded in the leg.

The gunman then fled from the garage. Witnesses called 911.

Moore described the victims as being in their 40s. He said both were in good condition.

Detectives are "working with [the victims] to understand more information," Moore said.

Detectives don't believe the motive was robbery, according to LAPD sources, who spoke to The Times on the condition that they not be named because the investigation is ongoing.

At about 7:40 a.m., Los Angeles police arrested a man near the synagogue but the sources say they don't believe he was the gunman.

LAPD officials have alerted other synagogues around Los Angeles about the shooting, and police have stepped up patrols at Jewish religious institutions.

The sources said detectives are trying to determine the motive, and whether the gunman acted alone or as part of a larger group.

The scene at the Adat Yeshurun Sephardi synagogue (LA Times)

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Comment by Phyllis Chesler at Pajamas Media