The Minneapolis Police Department arrested a 21-year-old on Friday, Oct. 4, for making terroristic threats toward Temple Israel.
According to an MPD press release: On Sept. 11, staff at Temple Israel reported to the MPD they had received several phone calls from an individual threatening to “shoot up” Temple Israel. An investigation immediately began into the threats made.
During the Oct. 3 Rosh Hashanah services, an officer working the special detail to provide extra patrols around Temple Israel was notified by security that there was a man outside who they saw with a firearm. The man fled the area before officers were able to arrest him.
Investigators learned the man with the firearm was the same man who made the threatening phone calls. He was identified as 21-year-old Jaden LeBlanc.
Jaden LeBlanc mugshot (Hennepin County Sheriff).
On Oct. 4, members of the MPD’s Southside REACT team located the man and arrested him for terroristic threats. A gun was not recovered, but he was booked into Hennepin County Jail and charges will be submitted to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for consideration. He’s being held without bail.
“Everyone in Minneapolis has the right to feel safe in their communities, and we will ensure our Jewish neighbors are protected as they celebrate the holy days,” MPD Chief Brian O’Hara said.
“We take all threats made against our religious institutions seriously and will continue to hold the individuals accountable who threaten any of our city’s houses of worship. I am incredibly grateful for the work of investigators in this case for quickly responding to the threats and likely preventing a tragedy from occurring.”
In an email to the community, Temple Israel Senior Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman and President Anne Stanfield wrote: “Especially in recent times, it is sadly not uncommon for Jewish institutions to receive threats, and we have protocols in place to assess their credibility and respond accordingly. The safety and well-being of our community are of the utmost importance, and we want to assure you that this situation was handled according to established procedures. We are grateful for your trust in us as our outstanding team of trained security professionals work tirelessly to monitor and respond to threats against Temple Israel and the Jewish community.
“We understand that such news can be distressing. We continue to be grateful for your ongoing commitment to our robust seen and unseen security measures. In addition to our strong security protocols, we continue to believe that the best antidote to antisemitism is coming together through prayer, song, community, and pride in our Jewish identity.”
The MPD statement said that early last month, it met with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas and others to develop a plan that would enhance patrols around synagogues and community centers during the High Holidays, and the anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel.
In a statement to TC Jewfolk, the JCRC said they that the MPD and Temple Israel security staff took the threat seriously.
“We’re continuing to follow the situation to ensure there isn’t a greater threat to the community,” the statement said.
