Hundreds of U.S. synagogues, Jewish facilities targeted by bomb threats, 'swatting' incidents
Hundreds of U.S. synagogues and Jewish organizations across the U.S. were targeted by emailed bomb threats over the weekend, according to law enforcement officials and a nonprofit that tracks the security of Jewish communities.
The FBI has launched a nationwide investigation, but said no explosives have been found so far. No suspects have been arrested as of Monday afternoon.
“The FBI is investigating a series of bomb threats targeting synagogues in Pennsylvania and multiple other states across the country,” a spokesperson for the FBI’s field office in Philadelphia wrote in an email. “Although at this time, no explosive devices related to these threats have been found, we continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners and will remain vigilant to protect our communities.”
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency newswire tracked local reports of bomb threats in at least 17 states and Washington, D.C.
In a statement on Saturday, the Jewish nonprofit Secure Community Network said they recorded 199 false bomb threats and “swatting” incidents in 24 hours, with that number rising to over 200 as the weekend went on. "Swatting" is when law enforcement is contacted by a bad actor who reports nonexistent crimes to prompt SWAT teams into action and other serious responses at the location of their intended target.
“The alarming volume of swatting incidents and false bomb threats being carried out across the country is a major concern for the safety and security of the Jewish community in North America, as well as law enforcement,” SCN CEO Michael Masters said in a statement. “It’s critical to recognize that these are not victimless crimes or innocent pranks: they can have real – and even deadly – consequences.”
California saw 93 incidents alone in that first 24 hour period between Friday and Saturday, when Jews observe Shabbat, according to SCN. Arizona saw 62 and Connecticut, 15. Earlier last week, multiple bomb threats targeting Jewish facilities – as well as schools and airports – were reported in Pennsylvania, Oregon and Maryland the week prior, according to local officials and the FBI.
Several law enforcement agencies said the weekend threats appear to be an interconnected, broader hoax to terrorize Jewish communities across the country.
“The threats were conveyed via an email that appears to have been sent from the same email address. Hundreds of similar threats have been received by Jewish institutions across the United States this weekend,” Massachusetts State Police said in a statement addressing the threats to synagogues in their state. “As of this time no explosives or hazards have been located at any site.”
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