A 23-year-old man from Utah, Luis Ramirez, faced arraignment on terrorism and hate crime charges for threatening to shoot up Central Synagogue in Manhattan. He reportedly declared himself as "Adolf Hitler reincarnated" and pledged to kill Jews, echoing the horrors of World War II. According to a statement obtained by ABC7 New York, Ramirez was arrested on his way into Manhattan by Port Authority Police.
During the court appearance, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office argued for Ramirez to be held without bail due to the gravity of his threats. "This is a serious offense. He made terroristic threats that he was Adolf Hitler reincarnated," Assistant District Attorney David Stuart stated, as reported by ABC7 New York. Ramirez, who was at a military officer cadet school in Virginia when he allegedly made some of the threats, was diagnosed with "some serious mental health disorders," including psychosis and delusions, while incarcerated.
The judge remanded Ramirez, citing concerns over his mental health, risk of flight, and his behavior during this behavior, which was described by court officers who twice had to remind him to face forward and look at the judge. The New York Post revealed that no weapons were found in Ramirez's car at the time of his arrest.
"Luis Ramirez allegedly made extremely disturbing and serious threats against Central Synagogue, and we have absolutely no tolerance for this conduct," District Attorney Alvin Bragg said, as told to ABC7 New York. Ramirez's defense lawyer from the New York County Defender Services, Sergio De La Pava, agreed that a mental health exam was a necessary step for his client after consultations with Ramirez and his family. Ramirez faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted and is due back in court on March 20.
