A man who shot two Jewish men outside a pair of Los Angeles synagogues last year has been sentenced to 35 years in prison, federal prosecutors announced. Jaime Tran, 30, pleaded guilty to two counts of hate crimes with intent to kill and two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned Tran's actions, stating that his antisemitic hatred led to a planned attack on Jews leaving synagogues in Los Angeles.
Tran targeted the victims, shooting them at close range from moving cars as they were leaving religious services in the predominantly Jewish Pico-Robertson neighborhood. He admitted to seeking out a 'kosher market' and targeting individuals he believed to be Jewish. The first shooting occurred on Feb. 15, 2023, followed by a second attack the next morning.
Tran's arrest came after a witness reported seeing him firing a weapon behind a motel. Prosecutors revealed that Tran expressed intentions to continue the shootings if he had not been apprehended. The incidents sparked fear within the Jewish community, with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass acknowledging the impact of the attacks and the rise of antisemitism in the city and nationwide.
The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles expressed gratitude for Tran's sentencing, emphasizing the importance of combating hate crimes. Tran's history of antisemitic behavior dates back to 2018 when he made derogatory comments about Jewish students, leading to his departure from graduate school. His escalating antisemitic rhetoric included threatening messages and social media posts promoting violence against Jews.
Despite being prohibited from purchasing firearms due to mental health concerns, Tran managed to acquire weapons through a third party. Law enforcement identified the individual who illegally sold Tran the firearm used in the shootings, revealing a pattern of Tran soliciting multiple people to buy guns on his behalf.
