LA synagogues on 'high alert' after bomb blast in Santa Monica sends 300 pound concrete block into house
Synagogues in California have been put on high alert after a bomb blast in Santa Monica.
Jewish organisations around Los Angeles were urged to be extra vigilant after the explosion, which shattered windows at a synagogue and sent a 300-pound block of concrete flying into the roof of a nearby house.
Blast: The explosion at the synagogue sent a 300 pound block of concrete flying into the roof of a neighbouring house where a young boy was sleeping
'Freak accident': Police initially thought the blast was not suspicious, but later found evidence of an explosive device at the scene, which they linked to Hirsch
Police said they are searching for an ‘extremely dangerous’ 60-year-old homeless man named Ron Hirsch in connection with the bombing.
Hunted: Police are searching for a 60-year-old homeless man named Ron Hirsch in connection with the explosion
Officers initially believed that the explosion was a ‘freak industrial accident’ but on Friday, detectives scouring the scene discovered evidence that the blast was caused by an explosive device.
Items found nearby were linked to Hirsch, who was known in the area as a frequent visitor of synagogues and Jewish community centres.
The man, who is also known as Israel Fisher, is now being sought on charges of possession of a destructive device. Police said they did not know of the motive behind the explosion.
About 20 people had been attending a Passover service at the Chabad House synagogue at the time.
The explosion shattered windows, punched a hole in the synagogue and sent a pipe encased in a concrete block flying 25 feet into the air into the roof of a neighbouring house where a young boy was sleeping. There were no injuries.
On Friday afternoon, the Anti-Defamation League issued a security alert to synagogues and other Jewish organizations in the Los Angeles area.
Investigation: Police and firefighters examine and remove the concrete block from the roof of a home next to the Chabad House in Santa Monica
Hole in roof: The explosion sent a concrete block flying into the air, lodging it in the roof of a house where a young boy was sleeping
An ADL spokesman said: ‘ADL has no information regarding a specific threat against any Jewish institution. However, community members should be extra vigilant.’
Sergeant Jay Trisler, of Santa Monica police, said: ‘The device appeared to have been deliberately constructed.
‘Based on his suspected involvement in this incident, Hirsch is considered extremely dangerous.’
The suspect is described as white, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, 207 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.
Alert: Synagogues and Jewish organisations have been warned to be cautious
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