The Los Angeles Police Department said Thursday it arrested the suspect it believed was responsible for the shooting of two Jewish men this week.
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The men were shot within 24 hours: one on Wednesday morning as he was leaving a synagogue in Pico-Robertson, a heavily Jewish neighborhood, and another the next day, while stepping out of another synagogue in the same neighborhood. Both men are said to be in stable condition.
"The facts of the case led to this crime being investigated as a hate crime," the LAPD said, adding, "In an abundance of caution, there will continue to be an increased police presence and patrols around Jewish places of worship and surrounding neighborhoods through the weekend."
LA Mayor Karen Bass said that "these attacks against members of our Jewish community are unacceptable. "My office is monitoring these incidents, and I am working closely" with local political and community leaders "to ensure that ALL Angelenos feel safe."
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect has a history of animus toward the Jewish community, ABC News reported.
JNS.org contributed to this report.
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