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Minneapolis man arrested after threatening to shoot up synagogue during Rosh Hashanah prayers

21-year-old Jaden Thomas Leblanc arrested during the Rosh Hashanah holiday after threatening to ‘shoot up’ a Minneapolis synagogue.

By World Israel News Staff

A 21-year-old Minneapolis man was arrested last Friday, after he threatened to open fire on worshippers at a local synagogue during Rosh Hashanah prayers, authorities said Monday.

The suspect, Jaden Thomas Leblanc, had targeted the Minneapolis Temple Israel congregation for nearly a month, beginning on September 9th, when he hurled a beer bottle at the wall of the synagogue’s playground.

Security guards assigned to the synagogue asked Leblanc to leave the property, at which point Leblanc reportedly made a “gun gesture” towards the guards and threatened to shoot them.

A day later, Leblanc threw a beer bottle into the synagogue’s parking lot. When confronted by someone from the synagogue, Leblanc threw the bottle at the victim’s head and aggressively approached them.

The synagogue received three threatening phone calls days later, using an application on his cell phone to mask his voice. According to Minneapolis Police Department Chief Brian O’Hara, Leblanc threatened to “shoot up the temple.”

On Thursday, during the two-day Rosh Hashanah holiday, Leblanc stood across the street from the synagogue holding a pistol, before leaving the area.

A day later, officers spotted Leblanc in a car and arrested him over the threats to open fire at the synagogue.

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Leblanc is currently in custody, and he has been charged with three counts of terroristic threats and one count of fifth-degree assault, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced Monday.

“Mr. Leblanc’s behavior caused fear and concern amongst the Temple Israel community,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said.

“While the evidence available at this time does not suggest that this crime was motivated by bias against the Jewish community, every member of our community deserves to feel safe. We will seek accountability for Mr. Leblanc that ensures community safety.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said that the city has recorded a spike in antisemitic incidents during the Jewish holiday season.

“We’ve seen hateful antisemitic acts increase dramatically, and these acts have been in a particularly heightened state around High Holy Days,” he said.