Two Jewish men were shot leaving their houses of worship in two separate incidents this week in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood of Los Angeles.
In the first incident, this past Wednesday, February 15, at 10am, “the first victim was walking to their vehicle when a man drove by and shot twice before fleeing the scene”. In the second incident the following day, the victim “was walking toward his home nearby when a man drove up and shot at him from inside a car, and then fled”. Both victims were Orthodox.
Both victims are currently in stable condition, and the suspect is now in custody. Several pieces of evidence were recovered, including a rifle and handgun, and both state and federal authorities have been enlisted to assist in the investigation.
The suspect had a “history of animus” toward the Jewish community, and the incidents are being investigated as hate crimes.
Antisemitism is increasing in America at an alarming rate, and while these incidents were non-lethal, who’s to say the next victims will be so blessed? Synagogues in the Pico-Robertson area already have security, what more does the Jewish community need to do to protect itself? Not to mention, security personnel aren’t slaves — not every congregation can afford to keep armed security on salary for every service.
We have to watch out for each other. Because antisemites are vigilantly looking for us, we have to be twice as much so when watching for them.
