DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Crime & Justice

Florida man arrested after brick attack on Sarasota Chabad deemed a hate crime

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A Florida man, Brayton Laschinger, was arrested for smashing a synagogue window with a brick in Sarasota.
  • Police deemed the incident a hate crime, with Laschinger stating social media propaganda angered him.
  • The attack occurred amid a rise in antisemitic incidents in Florida, with the local rabbi expressing gratitude for the swift arrest but concern over the suspect's bail.

Sarasota police arrested Brayton Laschinger, 30, for vandalizing the Chabad of Downtown SRQ synagogue with a brick, an act classified as a hate crime.

Laschinger claims that same morning, he saw propaganda on social media, and that was making him mad. He admitted to detectives that he threw the brick at the window of the synagogue because it was a Jewish place of worship.

— Sarasota Police DepartmentExplaining the suspect's motive.

The incident occurred early Wednesday when surveillance footage showed Laschinger, his face covered with a blue towel, repeatedly throwing a brick to shatter the building's front window. He admitted to detectives that he was angered by social media propaganda seen that morning and targeted the synagogue because it is a Jewish place of worship.

We are grateful that an arrest was made and deeply appreciate the Sarasota Police Department’s swift response and thorough investigation.

— Rabbi Levi SteinmetzCommenting on the arrest.

This act of vandalism occurs against a backdrop of increasing antisemitism in Florida. The Anti-Defamation League reported 319 antisemitic incidents in the state in 2025, including numerous acts of vandalism and assaults, placing Florida among states with the highest rates of targeted hostility nationwide.

This incident has, nevertheless, left many members of our community shaken. The outpouring of support from so many members of our community, our neighbors, and local faith leaders has truly warmed our hearts.

— Rabbi Levi SteinmetzDescribing the community's reaction.

Rabbi Levi Steinmetz of Chabad of Downtown SRQ expressed gratitude for the Sarasota Police Department's swift response and thorough investigation. However, he voiced concern over the suspect's release on bail while facing serious charges. "This incident has, nevertheless, left many members of our community shaken," he stated, while also acknowledging the "outpouring of support" from the community. Despite the incident, the rabbi affirmed the community's resilience: "Despite this, we refuse to allow fear to dictate our future. We will continue to be an open and welcoming home for Jewish life."

At the same time, it is deeply concerning that the suspect has been released on bail while these serious charges are pending.

— Rabbi Levi SteinmetzExpressing concern about the legal process.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog