Police are investigating a doable hate crime after somebody driving previous a Jewish household’s residence in Redlands fired a number of photographs and yelled antisemitic slurs, police stated.
The assault on the house, which had been embellished with inflatable animals, dreidels and menorahs for Hanukkah, was captured on surveillance video. Police consider an airsoft handgun was used within the assault.
“Sadly, Redlands is just not immune to those hateful acts, as an area household was focused due to their festive residence decorations celebrating Hanukkah,” the Redlands Police Division stated in a assertion.
The incident occurred Friday on the 1300 block of Magnolia Avenue after the household had arrived residence that night, the assertion learn.
On Monday, a spokesperson for the Police Division stated that no suspects have been arrested or recognized and that the investigation continues.
An undated picture of the Cohen household, whose residence was focused on Dec. 12.
(Rodgir Cohen)
Rodgir Cohen, a professor of political science, faith and psychology, stated he and his household had simply returned from Shabbat dinner. The household had walked inside their residence, however he and his son had been headed again to the automotive after realizing he’d left his cellphone on the restaurant.
That’s when, Cohen stated, his son noticed two girls and a person close to a automotive, who yelled, “Free Palestine,” and used the N-word towards him.
One of many girls informed the person, who seemed to be in his late 20s or early 30s, to get contained in the automotive. Cohen stated he and his son received of their automotive and drove away.
“We form of simply dismissed it,” he stated.
Minutes later, Cohen stated, his spouse referred to as and stated she’d heard “plenty of noise exterior.” Cohen stated he returned residence, pulled the safety footage from their residence and noticed that somebody had fired a number of photographs on the residence.
“They discharged about 20 photographs towards the home,” he stated.
Video exhibits the automotive slowly driving by the home and photographs being fired. Somebody is then heard saying, “F— the Jews,” earlier than driving away.
Police stated no accidents or injury had been reported. As a result of no shell casings or muzzle flash was seen in surveillance video, police suspect the shooter used an airsoft handgun.
Cohen stated the photographs appeared to have been aimed toward a number of of the his inflatable decorations on his frontyard, a few of which needed to be repaired with tape.
Police suspect the household was focused due to the yard’s decorations.
The incident comes as Jewish and civil rights organizations urged precaution and vigilance throughout Hanukkah in mild of a lethal assault in Sydney throughout a Hanukkah celebration.
Not less than 15 folks had been killed in a capturing in Sydney’s Bondi Seashore on Sunday. Greater than 40 folks have additionally been hospitalized. A father and son are believed to be the gunmen within the Sydney assault. The daddy was shot and killed by police. His son was shot by police and hospitalized.
Cohen stated he and his household have encountered slurs previously however not an assault on their residence as they skilled Friday.
Cohen teaches programs at Cal State College Fullerton, Loma Linda College and Crafton Hills School. In 2022, he made an unsuccessful bid for the California Meeting as a member of the Libertarian Get together and has hosted a podcast on which he’s interviewed political candidates.
The incident has drawn condemnation. On Saturday, the Anti-Defamation League of California referred to as the incident a “despicable act of antisemtic violence.”
“The sense of safety in our group has, once more, been shattered by the act of cowardice and hate that’s unacceptable,” David Englin, senior regional director of the ADL Los Angeles stated in a assertion.
Native officers additionally blasted the assault.
“Whereas we’re relieved that no accidents occurred, you will need to reaffirm our help of our group members, irrespective of their religion,” Redlands Mayor Mario Saucedo stated in a press release. “Violence and hatred haven’t any place in Redlands.”
San Bernardino County Supervisor Daybreak Rowe stated she was saddened and disturbed by the incident.
“Nobody ought to ever really feel threatened, focused, or unsafe due to how they’re, how they worship, or how they select to precise their religion,” she stated in a assertion. “Our Jewish neighbors are an integral a part of the varied material that makes our county and our nation robust.”
