DC Police Not Investigating Synagogue Incident with Unregistered Gun as Hate Crime
The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., is not investigating an incident at the Washington Hebrew Congregation as a hate crime. Tyler Finn, 32, of Lynchburg, Va., attempted to enter the synagogue with an unregistered gun shortly before a morning Shabbat service on November 7. Security officers were alerted by a metal detector, denied Finn entry, and recovered a concealed, loaded revolver and two pocket knives. Finn was part of a scheduled visit by a religious-studies class from Liberty University, which had previously participated in the congregation’s interfaith dialogue efforts. Police responded around 10:15 a.m. and arrested Finn. He faces charges of carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of unregistered ammunition. The police report explicitly marks 'no' under the suspected hate crime category. Finn has since been released from police custody, with his next court date scheduled for December. The synagogue and the Jewish Federation of G...
