Authorities: Omar Alkattoul, 18, charged with making "broad threat" against synagogues in New Jersey
NEWARK, N.J. -- An 18-year-old Sayreville man has been charged in connection with alleged threats made against New Jersey synagogues and Jewish residents.
As CBS2's Dave Carlin reports, the man just went before a magistrate in Newark.
The recent boosted police presence across the state of New Jersey, with extra officers posted in front of New Jersey synagogues and yeshivas came when the FBI issued an alert about the alleged internet activity of an 18-year-old in Sayreville.
The suspect, Omar Alkattou, went before a federal magistrate in Newark. Federal prosecutors say he shared "a manifesto containing threats to attack a synagogue and Jewish people."
Titled "When Swords Collide," part of it that reads "I am the attacker and I would like to introduce myself… I am a Muslim with so many regrets but I can assure you this attack is not one of them."
It goes on to accuse Jewish people of supporting violence against Muslims.
Chief Executive Officer of the Anti-Defamation League Jonathan Greenblatt talked to Carlin about this arrest in particular, and the broader topic of antisemitism surfacing again and again.
Carlin went to the Alkattoul family's home in Sayreville, knocked and no one answered.
A neighbor said the arrest unsettles her.
"It's dangerous," she said.
U.S. Attorney Philip Selinger released a statement, saying "no one should be targeted for violence or with acts of hate because of how they worship."
Investigators had previously said they did not believe Alkattoul had the means to carry out any specific threat.
