More Security At Hoboken Jewish Ctrs After Jersey City Shooting

HOBOKEN, NJ — The mass shooting took place in Jersey City. But the mourning is happening all over New Jersey, including in Hoboken.

On Tuesday, four people – including Jersey City Detective Joseph Seals – were killed by a pair of heavily armed shooters. Three civilians also died in the attack: Leah Mindel Ferencz, 32, Moshe Hersh Deutsch, 24, and Douglas "Miguel" Rodriguez, 49.

Police fatally shot the two suspects, David Anderson, 47, and Francine Graham, 50.

Authorities initially said the attack didn’t appear to be an act of terrorism. However, on Thursday, representatives with the FBI, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office said the shooting is being investigated as a “domestic terrorism incident with a hate-crime bias slant.”

• See related article: 6 Killed In Jersey City Shooting Standoff
• See related article: Chilling Details Revealed After 6 Killed In Jersey City Shooting

On Wednesday, Hoboken municipal buildings lowered flags to half-staff to mourn the victims of the attack.

The city police department is also increasing security at Jewish schools and centers in Hoboken, officials said.

One of the assailants had published anti-Semitic and anti-police posts online prior to the attack, an unnamed law enforcement source told The New York Times.

“Yesterday was a tragic day in Jersey City,” Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said. “As we learn more details about the incident, on behalf of the City of Hoboken, I offer my deepest sympathies to family of the deceased police officer, and the innocent civilians who lost their life.”

Bhalla said the tragedy underscores the tremendous work of the city’s own police officers and first responders, 12 of whom responded to the scene of the shooting along with the Hoboken Police Department emergency services unit.

“Given the update that the gunmen targeted a kosher supermarket, I’ve been in touch with Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and our local Jewish faith leaders to offer my support and any resources that they need during this difficult time,” Bhalla said.

“While there is no known imminent threat, our Hoboken Police Department will increase their presence at our Jewish places of worship and gathering, as well as our schools, to ensure the safety of all residents,” Bhalla added.

Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante offered his sympathies to the victims’ families on Wednesday:

“As we wake up the morning after, solemn thoughts of the loss of Det. Joseph Seals and his surviving family, as well as the Jersey City Police Department family. Condolences for three innocent lives taken and their families.”

Ferrante said the Hoboken Police Department will help their peers in Jersey City during the wake and funeral for Det. Seals.

In addition, the HPD began “stepping up” security at Jewish centers and schools in Hoboken, beginning Wednesday morning, he said.

In Jersey City, Mayor Fulop has said that it’s “clear” from video surveillance footage that the two shooters “targeted” the Kosher grocery store.

Chabad Rabbi Moshe Schapiro, co-director of Chabad of Hoboken and Jersey City, was with the injured at the hospital along with other community members.

Officers in the Hoboken police and fire departments offered their condolences in the wake of the shooting.

Other Hoboken residents and community members have been posting messages of mourning - and support - on social media.

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