Man Charged in Florida Synagogue Attack Shared Mamdani ‘War Criminal’ Video Before Alleged Vandalism
NEW YORK (JNS) – A Florida man charged with vandalizing a Sarasota synagogue had reposted on social media a video of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” days before the alleged attack, according to a report by Jewish Insider. Brayton Laschinger, 30, was arrested after authorities
NEW YORK (JNS) – A Florida man charged with vandalizing a Sarasota synagogue had reposted on social media a video of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” days before the alleged attack, according to a report by Jewish Insider.
Brayton Laschinger, 30, was arrested after authorities said he threw a brick through the front window of Lubavitch Chabad of Downtown SRQ on July 29.
According to the Sarasota Police Department, Laschinger admitted targeting the synagogue because it was a Jewish house of worship and told investigators that social media content had fueled his anger before the incident.
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The man arrested last week for throwing a brick at a synagogue in Sarasota, Florida, reportedly admitted to law enforcement that he deliberately targeted a Jewish house of worship and said he was motivated by social media propaganda. One video he reportedly reposted was @NYCMayor… pic.twitter.com/XqH529BgrF
— ADL (@ADL) August 5, 2026
Jewish Insider reported that an Instagram account bearing Laschinger’s name had reposted Mamdani’s video about a week before the alleged vandalism. The publication said there is no evidence establishing a direct link between the mayor’s video and the attack.
The report prompted renewed criticism from the Anti-Defamation League, which said Laschinger reportedly admitted he was motivated by social media propaganda and had shared Mamdani’s video online. Citing ADL Vice President of Counter-Extremism Seth Jonathan (S.J.) Goodman, the organization said that “the words and actions of people in positions of power can certainly motivate other people who are seeing them, who are reading it, who are exposed to that kind of material online.”
“The Jewish community deserves leaders who will confront antisemitism, not amplify rhetoric that fuels it,” the ADL said.
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A spokesperson for Mamdani said the mayor’s criticism has been directed at Netanyahu and the Israeli government, not Jewish people, and condemned the synagogue vandalism as an act of antisemitism.
Sources