The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) arrested a suspect in the shooting of two Jewish men in West LA Thursday evening, according to a press release.
The shootings occurred in Pico-Robertson, LA’s largest Orthodox Jewish neighborhood, on Wednesday and Thursday, hitting two Jewish men, according to Forward. LAPD announced that they had arrested a suspect whom they believe shot both victims, and revealed that they are investigating the shootings as a hate crime, according to a Thursday press release. (RELATED: Vast Majority Of US Jews Believe Antisemitism Is Growing: REPORT)
“The suspect was tracked to an area in Riverside County and investigators began working collaboratively with Federal and regional partners to locate him, resulting in the suspect being taken into custody without incident,” the press release said. “Detectives recovered several items of evidence, to include a rifle and a handgun.”
Both victims, one in their 40s and another in their 70s, survived the attacks with minor injuries, according to Forward. One shooting occurred outside of a personal residence, another outside of a Jewish synagogue, and in both instances, the suspect was driving and shot the victims with a handgun from outside the window.
Update. LAPD Investigating Two Shootings West LA pic.twitter.com/MpLRW5jcP6
— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) February 17, 2023
The LAPD confirmed to the Daily Caller News Foundation that the police were investigating the shootings as potential hate crimes and referred to the press release, indicating that the suspect’s identity would not be released for some time.
One victim’s rabbi told Forward that the fact that the victim survived the shooting was a “tremendous miracle.”
“It is a true miracle from God Almighty, and we thank God for this tremendous miracle,” Rabbi Moshe Pinto said. “The victim will be reciting the special Blessing of Praise for this miracle this Shabbat.”
The press release also stated that an increased police presence, started on Thursday, in the Jewish community would continue.
“In an abundance of caution, there will continue to be an increased police presence and patrols around Jewish places of worship and surrounding neighborhoods through the weekend,” the press release read.
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