The Los Angeles Police Department has arrested a suspect who is believed to be responsible for shooting two Jewish men outside shuls in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood on Wednesday and Thursday.
The first attack took place on the 1400 block of Shenandoah Street when a man leaving shul after shacharis on Wednesday morning was struck by a bullet from a passing vehicle.
The second incident took place Thursday morning, when a Jewish man in his 70s was struck in the arm by a bullet at the intersection of Pickford and Bedford streets.
Both victims suffered relatively minor injuries, and both are expected to survive.
The LAPD says that an “exhaustive” investigation led them to an area in Riverside County where the suspect was taken into custody. Police found in his possession several items of evidence, including a rifle and handgun.
Both shootings are being investigated as hate crimes, and the LAPD says it will release further information in the coming days as it continues to piece together details about the suspect and his actions in collaboration with state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Additionally, despite the suspect in the shooting attacks having been apprehended, the LAPD said that it will increase its presence and patrols near shuls out of abundance of caution.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles said in a statement Thursday night that the suspect “has a history of animus towards the Jewish community.”
Police have not yet released the suspect’s name yet, but sources tell YWN that he has been identified as an Asian man named Jaime Tran.
Unconfirmed reports state that Tran suffered a mental breakdown while studying in dental school and has been recently spewing antisemitic beliefs, particularly about Persian Jews.
Tran reportedly held twisted beliefs, including that Jews are behind the Covid-19 pandemic, and is also alleged to have harassed Jewish classmates in dental school.
Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to call LAPD at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or provide anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
