Chicago police looking for man suspected of leaving ‘Molotov cocktail’ at synagogue

Chicago police are reportedly seeking a man in connection with an alleged arson attempt at a synagogue in the Lake View East neighborhood.

The man, whose name was not released, apparently left a Molotov cocktail at Anshe Sholom B’nai Israel Congregation this weekend, according to ABC News, which noted that police discovered three broken glass bottles with charred black cloth towels and an unknown substance inside.

There were no injuries and the building was not damaged, the network noted.

{mosads}“Attacks of this sort are intended to frighten and intimidate us and it is quite natural to feel fear or anxiety. I encourage you to practice self-care and monitor your own feelings and those of your family,” rabbi David Wolkenfeld wrote in a letter to the congregation on Facebook.

“Someone attempted to violate the sacred space that serves as the beating heart of our vibrant community,” he added. “Our response must be to rededicate ourselves to honoring the sanctity of our shuul.”

Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said that officers are also searching for another suspect believed to have smashed three car windows outside of synagogues in the city’s Rogers Park neighborhood, according to ABC.

Guglielmi tweeted Sunday that Deputy Superintendent Anthony Riccio has ordered heightened security at all Jewish schools, business and synagogues in the city.

Dep Supt Anthony Riccio has ordered special attention at all Jewish schools, synagogues & businesses following vandalism and an attempted arson at 2 separate Chicago synogogues. Dets are investigating & have good video evidence. Info can be sent anonymously to www.cpdtip com pic.twitter.com/58QOeB2eK3

— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) May 19, 2019

The incidents come after a gunman killed a woman and injured three other worshippers at the Chabad of Poway synagogue near San Diego in May.

Last November, a shooting spree at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh became the deadliest anti-Semitic mass shooting in U.S. history.

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers has introduced legislation that would bolster security at synagogues and other houses of worship.