Sarasota — Police in Sarasota arrested Brayton Laschinger, 30, after he allegedly threw a brick through the window of the Chabad of Downtown SRQ synagogue in the early morning hours of July 29.
Authorities reported that Laschinger covered his head with a blue towel before hurling the brick around 6:00 a.m., causing damages estimated at more than $5,000. The incident has been classified as a hate crime targeting a religious institution.
During questioning, Laschinger admitted that he had seen antisemitic propaganda online earlier that morning and attacked the synagogue because it was Jewish. His roommate later identified him after reviewing surveillance footage.
Laschinger now faces charges of felony criminal mischief against a religious building, with hate crime enhancements. The case adds to a troubling pattern of antisemitic incidents in Florida, including synagogue vandalism in Punta Gorda in 2025 and attacks on Jewish businesses in Orlando in 2024.
Local officials and Jewish community leaders condemned the attack, stressing the urgent need for stronger security measures and continued vigilance against rising antisemitism across the United States.
Credit: The Times of Israel / Sarasota Police Department
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