Crime

California Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Shooting Two Jewish Men Outside Synagogues in LA

Published by Tope Fakinlede on October 1st, 2024.

California Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Shooting Two Jewish Men Outside Synagogues in LA

A man from California was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Monday after shooting and injuring two Jewish men as they left synagogues in Los Angeles last year, according to federal prosecutors.

Jaime Tran, 30, pleaded guilty in June to multiple hate crime charges, including two counts of attempted murder and two counts of using a firearm during a violent crime, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reported.

The shootings in February 2023 heightened concerns within the local Jewish community, as officials indicated the victims were targeted due to their identifiable religious attire, such as black coats and head coverings. Fortunately, both victims survived the attack.

Tran informed law enforcement that he had searched for a “kosher market” online and decided to shoot someone nearby, as detailed in an FBI affidavit.

The affidavit also noted Tran’s prior history of antisemitic behavior, referencing a review of various communications that demonstrated his troubling conduct.

“Attacking individuals solely based on their religious or ethnic identity harkens back to the darkest moments in our history,” stated U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “We hope today’s sentence sends a clear message that antisemitism and hate will not be tolerated in our community.”

In 2022, the FBI revealed that Tran had sent threatening and derogatory messages to former classmates, including violent threats directed at a Jewish peer.

“As millions of Jewish Americans prepare to celebrate the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Justice Department remains steadfast in its commitment to confront and prosecute acts driven by antisemitism or any form of hatred,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. “No Jewish person in America should live in fear that their identity will make them a target for hate crimes.”