California Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Antisemitic Shooting Outside Los Angeles Synagogues
October 1, 2024Jaime Tran, a 30-year-old man from California, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for shooting and wounding two Jewish men outside synagogues in Los Angeles.
The shootings occurred in February 2023 as the victims were leaving synagogues, which raised significant concerns within the Jewish community.
The victims were specifically targeted for wearing identifiable religious clothing, including black coats and head coverings, but fortunately both survived the attack.
Tran had a documented history of antisemitic behavior, which included threatening communications sent to former classmates.
According to an FBI affidavit, Tran sought a 'kosher market' online and deliberately chose to shoot someone in the vicinity.
In June, Tran pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of hate crimes with intent to kill and two counts of discharging a firearm during a violent crime.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada emphasized the seriousness of targeting individuals based on their religious background and called for community intolerance towards antisemitism.
In conjunction with Tran's sentencing, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland reaffirmed the commitment of the Justice Department to combat antisemitism and protect Jewish Americans during significant religious observances.
Both victims survived the attack, which was motivated by Tran's antisemitic beliefs.
The shootings have raised significant concerns within the Jewish community, particularly as they occurred during a time of heightened sensitivity.
Summary based on 2 sources
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Sources
The Guardian • Sep 30, 2024
Man sentenced to 35 years for shooting two Jewish men outside LA synagogues