Man charged with assault and hate crimes after incident at NYC synagogue

A man has been charged with multiple hate crimes after allegedly disrupting Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in Manhattan on August 15, 2026. The suspect, identified as 46-year-old Larry Montes from the Bronx, is facing two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, among other charges. According to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Montes struck a congregant, damaged property, and assaulted a member of the security team while being escorted out of the synagogue. An NYPD sergeant on duty at the synagogue intervened and took Montes into custody. No serious injuries were reported, and the incident is under investigation. Tisch noted that additional NYPD resources have been deployed to the synagogue to ensure safety. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul both condemned the incident, emphasizing the right to worship without fear. Tisch expressed a personal connection to the synagogue, highlighting its significance as a place of comfort and peace.