The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) took into custody on the evening of Feb. 16 a suspect believed responsible for the two shootings of two Jewish men in Pico-Robertson over the last two days, according to an update from the LAPD. The arrests came after the Courier’s Feb. 17 issue, which describes the shootings, had gone to press.
LAPD said, “the facts of the case led to this crime being investigated as a hate crime.” According to the Los Angeles Times, the suspect “has a history of animus toward the Jewish community.”
Los Angeles police, working collaboratively with federal and regional partners, arrested the suspect without incident in Riverside County. He was taken into custody around 5:45 p.m. Officers discovered several items of evidence, including a rifle and a handgun.
LAPD described the investigation as ongoing.
Several Jewish groups praised law enforcement for their work identifying and apprehending the suspect.
“The arrest of the person accused of shooting two Jewish men in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood in 24 hours gives a sigh of relief to L.A.’s Jewish community,” Anti-Defamation League Regional Director Jeffrey Abrams said. “We are aware that the case is being investigated as a hate crime and look forward to learning more about a possibly hate-driven motive.”
This is a developing story which will be updated as the facts unfold.
