Los Angeles police are investigating an incident Friday night as a potential hate crime after a Somali man, 32-year-old Mohamed Mohamed Abdi, attempted to run down worshipers standing outside a Hancock Park synagogue.
According to witness, Abdi was yelling “F**king Jews! F**king Jews!” during the attack.
Abdi reportedly insulted another couple leaving the synagogue before getting into his car and attempting to run over two men.
He later crashed into another car nearby, at which time he was arrested. A Koran was found on the dashboard of his car:
Police said in a press conference this afternoon that Abdi had just arrived in the L.A. area within the past few days.