WASHINGTON — A “person of interest” has been identified in connection with the anti-Semitic graffiti at the Shaare Torah synagogue, in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Montgomery County Media reports.
Police have surveillance footage of a person in a mask running from the building. Several suspects were on the video using spray paint on the building around 2:37 a.m. Tuesday.
Swastikas, “Hitler” and “KKK” were spray-painted on the synagogue.
“These types of hate crimes have no place in a democratic society. This is not a prank, when you show bias toward religious faith-based groups, ” Gaithersburg Police Chief Mark Sroka told NBC Washington.
“They [detectives] are going to be applying for a search warrant,” Sroka told Montgomery County Media.
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal agreed, saying “It’s not a prank. It’s a serious crime to use these kinds of symbols on a synagogue.”
The synagogue also runs a nursery school, and Blumenthal says the staff will tell the children that “there are people who aren’t nice in this world, who have hatred in their hearts. Fortunately, most people have good hearts, and we just have to stand up to that hate and be strong.”
Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman released a statement saying in part, “We are an inclusive community, one that prides itself on diversity and collaboration. When such a despicable act is committed, it impacts all of us, regardless of religion, race or creed.”
The Gaithersburg Police Department is investigating and asking anyone who may have information to call the department’s tip line at 301-330-4471 or the non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.
