Driver Tries To Run Down Pedestrians Near LA Synagogue: Police

LOS ANGELES, CA — Authorities arrested a man for allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks while trying to run down pedestrians near a synagogue in the Mid-Wilshire area, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Monday. The attack, which occurred in the largely Jewish neighborhood near La Brea and Oakwood avenues Friday night, is being investigated as a hate crime.

The terrifying incident happened at about 9:30 p.m. Friday near the 300 block of North La Brea Avenue. According to ABC7, a driver tried to run over two people on the sidewalk near a synagogue. When he missed them, he turned around to try to hit them again, a witness told the news station. After the failed attempts to hit pedestrians, the driver took off, smashing into another vehicle, totalling both cars near Oakwood and Highland avenues, according to police.

Witnesses said the suspect got out of his car, approached the people in the other vehicle and yelled derogatory remarks about their religion.

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Mohamed Mohamed Abdi, 32, was booked on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon -- the vehicle -- and the case has been classified as a hate crime, Deputy Chief Horace Frank said at a news conference at LAPD headquarters.

Frank said Abdi, who remains in custody on $55,000 bail, was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, and lives in the United States as a U.S. citizen. The FBI was involved in the investigation, and Abdi could face federal charges, Frank said.

LAPD Chief Michel Moore said two men had just left a synagogue in the 300 block of La Brea Avenue and were walking toward Oakwood Avenue when Abdi allegedly tried to run them over with a vehicle.

"He's yelling out hateful remarks regarding Jewish heritage and regarding these people of faith," Moore said. "They watch him as he then turns his vehicle directly at them."

No one was injured, and police arrested Abdi after he crashed into another vehicle while he was speeding away. A knife was found in his vehicle, but there was no indication the suspect was driving under the influence, Frank said.

"Hate in America is on the rise," Moore said. "That has to change. And a portion of that is that every community recognize that when such acts occur, that the department -- LAPD -- that our federal and state partners will bring the full weight of the law to hold accountable those who believe that there would be some other type of response."

Moore said Abdi had been in the Los Angeles area for "a very short period of time," but he declined to elaborate.

Moore said investigators believe Abdi was acting as a "lone individual" and not as a member of a group, but the investigation was continuing into his background and associations, including his social media connections.

"I want to make it clear to the Jewish community and to all residents of Los Angeles that this type of hate and violence will not stand, and that my colleagues and I will do everything in our power to make sure that our communities are protected and secure," said Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz.

"We will continue to fight anti-Semitism, bigotry, and we will continue to shine light on the darkness of hate," Koretz said.

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City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report. Photo: Youtube screengrab