Jewish leaders in Rockland are on heightened alert after a man walked in to a Brooklyn synagogue early Tuesday morning and allegedly stabbed a Jewish student in the head.
Rabbi Avremel Kotlarsky, leader of the Chabad Lubavitch of Rockland, says he was disturbed by the vicious attack. The attack, which was captured on video, took place at the Chabad Lubavitch headquarters in Crown Heights.
The suspect, identified as 49-year-old Calvin Peters, can be seen with the knife that he allegedly had just used to stab 22-year-old Levi Rosenblat. Police can be heard telling Peters to drop the knife, which he apparently did, but later picked it up again.
Police say he lunged at an officer, who fired one fatal shot. Eyewitnesses say the attacker was heard repeatedly saying "kill the Jews" before being shot.
Officials at the Rockland County Sheriff's Department have stepped up their patrols, but insist it is not directly related to the incident. Officials say residents can expect to see an increased presence around houses of worship throughout the holiday season.