Shooting at L.A. synagogue
The L.A. Jewish Journal has breaking coverage of the West North Hollywood synagogue shooting:
The Los Angeles Police Department has issued an alert to all Jewish day schools and synagogues after two men were shot early this morning in the parking lot of Adat Yeshurun Valley Sephardic synagogue.
The shooting took place at 6:18 am in the subterranean parking structure of the synagogue, located at 12405 Sylvan Street in North Hollywood. According to LAPD Deputy Chief Michel R. Moore, two shooters approached two men on their way into the synagogue for morning prayers. The assailant fired the first shot, which struck one man in the leg, then fired a second shot.
Police responded at the scene, where the two victims, both Jewish, were stabilized and are reported to be in good condition. The two shooters were described as older African American males. Police arrested one man for 17 year old male for questioning, but he is not a suspect at this time.
There are some 18 synagogues in the North Hollywood area. Adat Yeshurun is located in an area with a large Orthodox Jewish population, with many kosher stores nearby.
Yehuda Oz, 53, a member of the synagogue, said he was inside with 15-20 other congregants preparing to begin morning services when he heard four shots.
One of the victims ran into the synagogue, “screaming for help,” Oz said.
Congregants called police, who responded within 15 minutes. Meanwhile, said Oz, they cleaned up the victims’ blood.
One congregant identified the victims as Alan Lasry and Maor Ben-.Nissan.
The shooters fled on foot and are still at large.
Police responded at the scene, where the two victims, both Jewish, were stabilized and are reported to be in good condition.
The two shooters were described as older African American males. Police arrested one man for 17 year old male for questioning, but he is not a suspect at this time.
“The description of the shooter was a loose match,” said Moore.
Hatzolah, the Jewish emergency aid team, responded with four volunteers upon hearing news of the shooting on local television stations.
The volunteers have helped police in notifying local synagogues.
“We don’t know if this is the first of many,” said Hatzolah’s Zvika Brenner, “You can’t take these things for granted.”
Adat Yeshurun does have closed circuit video and police are now reviewing the images for possible leads. Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime. The victims have been transported to a local hospital.
Adat Yeshurun is the spritual home of families from Cuba, Argentina, Panama, Guatemala, Mexico, Morocco, Algiers, Tunisia, Libya and Israel.
More information and video to come.
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JustASC is written by Andrew Silow-Carroll, Editor-in-Chief of the 