A 13-year-old boy in Canton, Ohio, has been charged in connection with a disturbing plot to carry out a mass shooting at Temple Israel, a synagogue in the area. The Stark County Sheriff’s Office acted on a tip received on September 1, leading to the discovery of the plan on the messaging app Discord and the subsequent arrest of the teenager.
The details of the alleged plot were outlined in court documents, though it remains unclear if any weapons were found during the arrest. The nature of the teenager’s plan, according to the documents, was comprehensive, raising concerns among law enforcement officials.
Currently facing misdemeanor charges of inducing panic and disorderly conduct, the identity of the young suspect has been withheld due to his age. The Stark County Sheriff’s Office has yet to release additional information regarding the case.
Temple Israel has not issued a public statement on the matter, and the synagogue’s rabbi has declined to comment. However, the Anti-Defamation League of Cleveland has acknowledged the incident, expressing gratitude to law enforcement for their efforts in preventing a potential tragedy.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of a significant increase in antisemitic incidents across the United States. The Anti-Defamation League reports a substantial rise in such incidents over a two-month period, marking a concerning trend in antisemitic attacks.
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, highlighted the alarming increase in antisemitism, particularly following the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. He emphasized the impact on Jewish communities nationwide.
