Man With 'Kill Rabbi Max' Tattoo Charged For Brooklyn Blaze: DA

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — A man with a "KILL Rabbi Max” tattoo stands accused of trying to kill a Brooklyn man by setting a massive blaze that injured a 6-week-old infant, four emergency responders, two police officers and four others, prosecutors said.

Matthew Karelefsky, 41, was arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court Monday on charges stemming from the East 17th Street fire that ripped through three Midwood homes on June 13, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney's office.

“This defendant allegedly traveled to Brooklyn with the sole intent to kill," said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. "[He] had no concern for the dozens of people he deliberately put in harm’s way."

Karelefsky allegedly used rags drenched in lighter fluid a bag of Kingsford charcoal to ignite the fire underneath the rabbi's front porch at 1492 East 17th St. just before 4 a.m., according to an FDNY investigation.

Video surveillance shows Karelefsky buying that brand of charcoal from a Midwood grocery store and later setting the fire underneath the rabbi's home, prosecutors said.

The Pennsylvania man, who also sports a tattoo that reads "Never let go of the HATRED," may also have written about his intentions of social media, prosecutors said.

Karelefsky, of McKeesport, was arrested on attempted murder and arson charges two days after the blaze and could face up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.

The Pennsylvania man was held without bail and told to return to court on Sept. 10, said prosecutors.