After a shooting at a Southern California synagogue left one person dead and at least three other injured in an apparent hate crime, law enforcement agencies in the D.C. area say they are stepping up patrols at places of worship.
In a statement posted to Twitter, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser condemned the shooting at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in Poway, California, a town near San Diego.
"Today’s senseless attack on worshipers at the Chabad of Poway synagogue was a cowardly attack on the religious fabric that holds many of our communities together," Bowser said. "I pray for an end to these acts of hatred and to the many senseless acts of gun violence plaguing our country."
In the District, the Metropolitan Police Department said it was asking its officers to pay "special attention" to Jewish and Muslim places of worship.
"MPD’s Department members are instructed to provide special attention to Islamic and Jewish institutions as well as all religious places of worship within their districts," MPD wrote in a statement to News4. "We continue to monitor all suspicious activity and encourage the public to be aware of any suspicious persons, activity, and/or vehicles."
Since the shooting Sunday morning, police departments in the Northern Virginia and Maryland have also announced an increased response to protect religious places of worship.
The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office announced an increased presence at all synagogues Saturday.
"Although no known threat or connection to #Loudoun, in light of the deadly attack at a Synagogue in San Diego on this Shabbat Saturday, you will see an increased LCSO presence at all Synagogues & increased visibility around our religious institutions as an abundance of caution," the sheriff's office posted on Twitter.
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And in Fairfax County, police said they would increase patrols.
"Our hearts are broken for the victims and their families of the Chabad of Poway synagogue in California. We will support our Jewish community with increased patrols around our local synagogues. Stay safe," the police department posted.
Montgomery County police also told News4 it was considering increasing patrols.
