A crazed man shouting “Free Palestine” fired a shotgun outside an Albany synagogue on Thursday, spoiling the start of Hannukah and sending state troopers and the New York National Guard on high alert.
The 28-year-old gunman, who has not been identified, was taken into custody shortly after the shooting around 2pm outside Temple Israel in the Empire State capital, police said.
“I immediately directed the New York State Police and the New York National Guard to be on alert and increase existing patrols at the high-risk sites we have planned for the Hannukah holiday,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
“This is based on the important efforts we have taken to protect religious communities following the October 7 attack” by Hamas on Israel, Hochul said. “Make no mistake: The safety of Jewish New Yorkers is non-negotiable.”
Police said the gunman confronted bystanders after opening fire and shouting anti-Israel remarks.
“The suspect was confronted by another subject in the immediate area,” Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins said at a scene briefing. “The suspect basically made several statements to this person who was in the vehicle to the effect that he felt he was a victim.”
Hawkins said the man has been taken into custody, and “is being interviewed now by our detectives along with personnel from the FBI.”
Police said a 28-year-old man fired a shotgun and shouted “Free Palestine” outside Temple Israel, a synagogue in Albany, prompting the state to be on alert on the first day of Hannukah on Thursday. AP
According to sources, the man fired two shots into a nearby forest area.
The shooting is just the latest in a troubling series of antisemitic incidents in the country since the October 7 attack by radical militants, which prompted a counterattack by Israel in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement Thursday afternoon, Mayor Eric Adams said the NYPD was already on high alert with the start of Hannukah and antisemitic tensions threatening to disrupt the holiday.
“As our Jewish neighbors begin celebrating Hanukkah this evening, the New York City Police Department has been and continues to be vigilant to ensure the safety of New Yorkers,” Adams said.
“With the start of the holidays, the NYPD is implementing measures that have been planned to increase security around public Menorah displays and at all lighting events,” he said. “Everyone in our city has the right to practice their faith in peace, and we will make sure that right is protected.”
The shooting in Albany was quickly condemned by other polls.
“Today’s incident is a reminder of why we must do more to keep all New Yorkers safe from hate,” said state Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, calling the incident “disgusting.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
