Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. announced Wednesday that Larry Montes, 46, has been indicted over the August alleged antisemitic attack at Central Synagogue in Manhattan that disrupted Shabbat services and left two people injured.
Montes faces multiple charges in New York State Supreme Court, including two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, Attempted Assault in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime and Criminal Interference with Health Care Services or Religious Worship in the Second Degree, among other charges.
“Places of worship should be safe havens, not scenes of violence and hate," said District Attorney Bragg in a statement announcing the indictment. “As alleged, Larry Montes endangered congregants in the middle of services. He is charged with subsequently attacking two people in unprovoked, bias-motivated assaults and destroying religious property, all while spewing bigoted language. An attack on a house of worship threatens an entire community’s sense of safety and the sanctity of these community pillars must be protected. I commend the Jewish community for its resilience amid heightened antisemitism, and I wish the victims a full recovery. As the Jewish High Holidays approach, we will remain vigilant alongside the NYPD to protect our synagogues throughout Manhattan."
“Our synagogues should be sacred spaces where New Yorkers can worship safely, but Larry Montes violated that sanctity when he disrupted a service at Central Synagogue and assaulted a congregant, as outlined in the indictment," said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch in the statement. “The NYPD will continue to stand with our Jewish communities and use the full force of this department to investigate hate crimes of any kind. I thank the investigators who acted quickly to apprehend this subject and prevent further harm, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s office for prosecuting this case."
According to court documents and statements made in court, the incident occurred on August 14, 2026, as congregants gathered for Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in Midtown.
At approximately 6:05 p.m., Montes allegedly charged the rabbi and shouted that he was “God." He then allegedly knocked two religious candles and their holders to the floor, breaking them. The total property damage was valued at more than $7,000.
Montes allegedly continued through the synagogue's main aisle while shouting antisemitic remarks. As security personnel attempted to escort him outside, he allegedly struck a 63-year-old congregant in the face with the back of his hand, causing her to fall and suffer lacerations to her lip and right arm, as well as a bruise to her arm.
Montes then allegedly directed a racist remark at a 65-year-old Black security guard, spat in his face and headbutted him while the guard was escorting him from the building.
Security personnel eventually restrained Montes until police arrived. He was arrested at the scene.