Jewish students and rabbi escape unharmed as police investigate the incident
During a Rosh Hashanah celebration at a University of Michigan rabbi’s home on Wednesday night, a masked gunman forced his way inside, threatened the students present, and demanded valuables.
“I’m taking everything, give me everything,” the “black male in his late teens/early twenties” told the students, a news release from the Southfield Police Department states.
All 15 to 20 UM students safely escaped, and the gunman fled before police arrived on the scene.
“Through investigative actions, officers were able to identify the suspect and are currently working to bring him into custody,” the police department stated.
“The preliminary investigation indicates this was a crime of opportunity. However, the investigation is ongoing,” it stated.
Police also stated that a “female was involved in the incident and has been taken into custody.”
UM President Santa Ono told the students’ parents in a letter that he requested “‘enhanced security presence’ outside of Jewish organizations on campus both this week and next week,” the Washington Free Beacon reported.
In a public statement, Ono told students and staff, “Jewish students had gathered for dinner at the Southfield home of a local rabbi when, shortly before 11 p.m., an armed individual entered through an open backdoor, stole a bag and fled.”
“The Division of Public Safety and Security has increased security and patrols around campus and neighboring areas,” he stated.
“Meanwhile, each of us can do our part to show one another the kindness and respect that so many of us need right now,” Ono stated.
This is not the first time Jewish students have been targeted on UM’s campus in the last month.
The Detroit Free Press reported:
In early September, a Jewish student told police he was approached by a group of people. They asked if he was Jewish; when he confirmed, he said they assaulted him. Days later, Ann Arbor police say someone punched a student on the porch of a home where students from a historically Jewish fraternity live. Later, a group returned and threw glass bottles at the home.
An Ann Arbor police spokesman said Thursday the investigations are ongoing.
Amid these tensions, UM pro-Palestinian activists are planning a protest called “Global Call to Action: One Year of Genocide, One Year of Resistance” on Oct. 7, the anniversary of the attacks by Hamas against Israel, the Free Beacon reported.
“JOIN US next Monday, October 7th in protest at the Rackham building to demand justice for Gaza,” UM’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter stated in an Instagram post Thursday.
“JOIN US to demand that the UMich board of regents DIVEST the over $6 billion of our endowment that is invested in the genocide of Gaza! JOIN US in a week of action and education!” the group stated.
MORE: UMich skirts student gov’t anti-Israel move, restores campus group funds
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