Central Synagogue NYC became the scene of a frightening disruption on Friday evening, when a man allegedly stormed into the middle of Shabbat services and attacked a congregant and a member of the security team. The suspect now faces multiple hate crime charges, and the incident has drawn swift condemnation from city and state leaders.
The disturbance unfolded just after 6 p.m. inside the historic Lexington Avenue sanctuary, located near East 55th Street in Midtown East. A livestream of the service captured the chaos as the man began shouting, prompting a security guard to move in and attempt to remove him from the building.
Who Is the Suspect?
Police identified the man as Larry Montes, a 46-year-old Bronx resident. The NYPD said Montes was taken into custody almost immediately after the disruption began.
As security escorted him toward the exit, Montes allegedly struck a 63-year-old woman attending the service. He also damaged synagogue property, spit at a member of the security team, and headbutted that same staffer, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
An NYPD sergeant working a paid detail at the synagogue stepped in quickly and placed Montes under arrest. Officers say the fast response prevented the situation from escalating further.
Charges Filed Against Montes
Montes now faces a serious set of charges tied to the alleged assault and property damage. Authorities classified several of these charges as hate crimes.
| Charge | Classification |
|---|---|
| Assault (two counts) | Hate crime |
| Criminal mischief | Hate crime |
| Additional charges | Pending review |
Investigators say Montes broke two religious candles during the disruption, with the damaged items reportedly valued at around $20,000. The full scope of charges may expand as the investigation continues.
Eyewitnesses Describe the Panic
Congregants inside the sanctuary described a chaotic few minutes as the service came to an abrupt halt. Susan Roane, who was attending Shabbat services at the time, recalled hearing a loud pop and initially fearing a weapon had been fired.
“He was screaming and yelling. I heard a loud pop,” Roane said, adding that people were shaken until security intervened. Once it became clear Montes was not armed, the atmosphere shifted from fear to disbelief.
Fellow congregant Arlynn Greenbaum described the scene as frightening in the moment, saying she wanted to take cover because she did not know what the man might do next. Security personnel and the responding NYPD sergeant moved to restrain him within seconds of the outburst.
No one inside the synagogue suffered serious injuries, though both the 63-year-old woman and the security team member were affected by the alleged assault.
Officials React to the Attack
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch addressed the incident personally, noting her own connection to the congregation. She said she understood the sanctity of the space and what it means to the people who worship there, adding that Central Synagogue was where she grew up.
Tisch called the incident deeply painful and said a place of worship should never become a crime scene. She confirmed she had spoken directly with the synagogue’s rabbi following the attack and said there were no known additional threats at this time.
New York Attorney General Letitia James also issued a statement calling the assault appalling and unacceptable. She said no one should feel threatened while inside their place of worship and expressed relief that those involved were recovering.
Governor Kathy Hochul described the events at the synagogue as appalling as well, echoing the broader alarm among state leaders over an attack targeting a house of worship.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani responded publicly too, saying he was horrified by the assault. He called the act despicable and stated it has no place in the city, pledging that his administration would do everything possible to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe.
A Prominent Congregation Under Renewed Scrutiny
Central Synagogue is led by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, widely recognized as a national figure within the American Jewish community. The Lexington Avenue building has stood as a landmark house of worship in Manhattan for generations, and Friday’s disruption struck at the heart of a congregation known for its high profile and active community life.
Extra police resources were dispatched to the synagogue following the arrest, and the NYPD’s response reflected heightened attention to security at Jewish institutions across the city. Data cited by officials shows Jewish New Yorkers continue to face hate crimes at a higher rate than any other group in the city.
Friday’s disruption also arrived shortly after rabbis in New York reportedly raised concerns directly with Mayor Mamdani about rhetoric affecting the Jewish community, adding further context to the moment.
Broader Pattern of Incidents Targeting NYC Synagogues
Friday’s disruption at Central Synagogue is not an isolated case. Manhattan and Bronx synagogues have faced a string of hate-related incidents in recent years, prompting increased NYPD patrols near houses of worship.
- A Bronx man was previously arrested and charged with hate crimes after throwing rocks at multiple synagogues in the Riverdale neighborhood, damaging windows and doors.
- A separate case saw an indictment for terroristic threats made against Central Synagogue and the broader Jewish community in Manhattan.
- The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force has repeatedly stepped up surveillance around synagogues following waves of vandalism and threats.
These earlier cases show a pattern of targeted incidents that have kept law enforcement attention focused on synagogue security throughout the city, even as each individual case is investigated separately.
What Happens Next
Montes remains in custody as the case moves through the legal system. Prosecutors may add further charges depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation, and the NYPD has not ruled out additional details emerging about a possible motive.
Congregation leaders at Central Synagogue have not announced permanent changes to security procedures, though the presence of an NYPD sergeant during the incident highlights the level of protection already in place at the site. City officials indicated that patrols near the synagogue would continue in the immediate aftermath of the arrest.
The Jewish community in New York City continues to grapple with a heightened sense of vigilance following the attack, even as officials stressed that swift police action prevented more serious harm.
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