HCPD Focuses On HoCo Jewish Centers After CA Synagogue Shooting

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Police in Howard County are increasing presence around Jewish facilities countywide after one person was killed and three others were injured at a California synagogue northeast of San Diego over the weekend. The shooting — allegedly perpetrated by a 19-year-old who had posted an antisemitic manifesto online — is being investigated as a hate crime.

"While there have been no local threats, police are increasing patrols in an abundance of caution," the Howard County Police Department said in a statement on Sunday, April 28, the day after the incident on the west coast. "The safety of our residents and visitors in Howard County is our top priority. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families in this terrible tragedy."

Three people including the rabbi were wounded at the Chabad of Poway, California, when someone opened fire at a Passover service the morning of Saturday, April 27. One woman in the congregation died protecting the rabbi, according to USA Today.

The suspected gunman had posted an online manifesto that celebrated Adolf Hitler, the newspaper reported.

San Diego Mayor Steve Vaus told CNN he considered the shooting a hate crime due to statements the shooter made when he entered the building. The congregation was targeted by "someone with hate in their heart ... towards our Jewish community and that just will not stand," Vaus said.

The shooting in California came exactly six months after a gunman killed 11 people in Pittsburgh at a synagogue. After that incident, police in Howard County also added officers to areas around Jewish centers.

"We are thankful for our partners at Howard County law enforcement, especially Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the Howard County Police Department Police Chief, who immediately acted to ensure the safety of our local faith community and other vulnerable facilities," the Jewish Federation of Howard County said in a statement Sunday morning. "We are more committed than ever to working with our partners to ensure that people of all faiths are safe in their synagogues, churches, mosques and other houses of worship."

The federation called the April 27 attack an "antisemitic act of hate" that was "grotesque and offensive to all Jews and people of good conscience."

The Jewish Community Relations Council and Jewish Federation of Howard County will host a Safety and Security Summit at the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center in Columbia on Thursday, June 13. It will be open to the public, with a focus on how to protect community centers.

"We owe the victims of these murderous attacks the courage to join together to protect each other against additional acts of hate that threaten our security and our future," the Jewish Federation of Howard County in a statement.

SEE ALSO:

• Poway Synagogue Shooting: Suspect Identified As San Diego Man
• Columbia Mourns Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Victims With Vigil
• Anti-Semitic Incidents Jump 1006 Percent In Maryland: Report