On Sunday morning, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 33-year-old man, Brent Wood, for allegedly spraying an unknown substance at two individuals near a synagogue in Washington, D.C.
Incident Details and Police Response
In a recent report published by Fox News, in December 18, 2023, The incident, being investigated by Metropolitan Police Department as a hate crime, unfolded on the 2800 block of N Street, Northwest. Wood faces charges of simple assault and resisting arrest, with Metropolitan Police Department responding promptly to reports of antisemitic remarks during the attack. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the unsettling event adds to concerns about rising hate crimes in the nation’s capital.
According to a police statement, officers from Metropolitan Police Department were alerted at approximately 9:26 a.m. about an individual targeting two victims with an unknown substance while shouting antisemitic phrases.
Responding Metropolitan Police Department officers swiftly apprehended Wood, and a precautionary sweep of his vehicle revealed no hazardous materials. The incident occurred in close proximity to the Kesher Israel Congregation, highlighting the alarming proximity of hate incidents to religious institutions in the city.
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Alarming Trend Amidst Rising Antisemitism
According to the news reported by CNN, as Metropolitan Police Department authorities work to understand the motives behind the attack, it comes amidst a troubling surge in antisemitic threats nationwide. The Anti-Defamation League reported an exponential increase in swatting threats against Jewish institutions over the weekend.
This incident is part of a broader pattern, with the Biden administration acknowledging an “alarming trend of antisemitic threats and attacks targeting Jewish communities across the country.” The incident at Kesher Israel Congregation raises concerns about the safety of religious institutions and the urgent need for Metropolitan Police Department for addressing the surge in hate crimes.