A menorah stands outside the entrance to Temple Israel, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, in Albany, N.Y. A 28-year-old suspect was in police custody for allegedly firing two rounds from a shotgun outside the Jewish temple on Friday, just hours before the start of Hanukkah. Officials said no one was injured and police they did not know the man's motive.(AP Photo/Maysoon Khan)
Temple Shots Fired
ALBANY, NY- A man fired shots outside a Jewish synagogue on Thursday in Albany, shouting “Free Palestine” before police were able to subdue him and place the 28 year old under arrest. Governor Hochul said no one was hurt. It happened at Temple Israel just hours before the beginning of the Hanukkah celebration. The gunman reportedly making threatening statements in the parking lot of the Temple, which also serves as pre-school center. Hochul is directing police across the state to be on high alert, and is beefing up existing patrols for at-risk sites during the Hanukkah holiday.
The Governor says the latest directive builds on efforts to protect religious communities following Hamas’ October 7th attacks against Israel. Hochul says the safety of Jewish New Yorkers is non-negotiable, calling any act of antisemitism unacceptable.
