A 46-year-old Bronx man was arrested and charged with hate crimes after disrupting Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in Manhattan on August 15, 2026. According to the NYPD, the suspect struck a 63-year-old congregation member, damaged property, and assaulted security personnel before an on-duty sergeant intervened.
What should have been a peaceful evening of worship turned into a crime scene on Friday night in Midtown East. Law enforcement officials confirmed that an individual disrupted Shabbat services at 642 Lexington Avenue, triggering an immediate police response and widespread condemnation from city and state leaders.
The Incident and Arrest at Central Synagogue
The disruption unfolded inside the sanctuary during evening services. As synagogue security personnel attempted to remove the unruly individual, the situation escalated rapidly.
The suspect, identified by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch as 46-year-old Larry Montes of the Bronx, struck a 63-year-old woman in the face. Authorities noted that the victim is expected to recover from her injuries. Law enforcement sources tell News 4 that a 63-year-old woman was punched in the face and is expected to be OK. The aftermath was captured on video through Citizen App, which shows the moment police escorted a man out of the synagogue in handcuffs on Friday. While continuing to resist the security team, Montes also damaged synagogue property, spit at a security worker, and headbutted a member of the detail.
An NYPD sergeant working a security detail at the synagogue stepped in immediately and took Montes into custody. Tisch said an NYPD sergeant working detail at the synagogue immediately stepped in and took him into custody. By late Friday night, law enforcement confirmed the formal charges against him.
Montes faces two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, among other related offenses. Commissioner Tisch stated that investigators found no additional active threats following the arrest, noting that Tisch said there are no additional threats at this time.
Elected Officials and Community Leaders Respond
Commissioner Tisch, who shared a personal connection to the institution, voiced her distress over the breach of a sacred space on social media.
“Central Synagogue is where I grew up. In joy and in sorrow, it has always been a place of comfort and peace,”
Commissioner Jessica Tisch, via Abc7ny
A place of worship should never be a crime scene.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the community shortly after the incident, making it clear that municipal authorities would maintain a vigilant stance against identity-based violence, stating that This despicable act has no place in our city, and our administration will do everything in our power to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe.
“I am horrified by the assault at Central Synagogue during services today. I 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. Every New Yorker must be able to observe their religion without fear of violence.”
Mayor Zohran Mamdani, via Abc7ny
State leaders echoed those sentiments. New York Attorney General Letitia James released a statement saying, The assault during services at Central Synagogue today is appalling and unacceptable. No one should feel threatened in their place of worship. I am relieved that everyone is okay and recovering, and my heart is with the Central Synagogue community this evening.
Governor Kathy Hochul likewise condemned the violence, describing what happened at Central Synagogue was ‘appalling.’
