Assault is Being Investigated as Hate Crime
The Montgomery County Police Department arrested a 47-year-old man for the assault of a rabbi near the Silver Spring Jewish Center, an Orthodox synagogue in Kemp Mill, on the morning of Oct. 14.
The incident is being investigated as a hate crime.
At approximately 9:53 a.m., 4th District police officers responded to the 1400 block of Arcola Avenue, where the rabbi was walking on the sidewalk and encountered the suspect.
The suspect swung a wooden stake at the rabbi, striking him, for unknown reasons, then fled the scene, according to the investigation. The victim was left with minor injuries from the assault.
According to witness statements and photos posted to a local Jewish group chat, the victim had recently exited the synagogue. The shared photos show a man wielding a wooden stake with a pointed edge walking on the street, then being handcuffed by gloved officers.
Some members in the group chat claimed that the suspect had mental health issues.
Fourth District officers located the suspect and transported him to a local hospital for evaluation, according to the police department. Once he was released, the suspect, who has no fixed address, was taken to the Montgomery County Processing Unit and charged with felony assault and related offenses. As of Oct. 15, online court records do not name a lawyer for the suspect.
