Silver Spring, MD — Authorities in Maryland are investigating an attack on a rabbi as a potential hate crime after the man was assaulted with a wooden stake, according to local police.
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The incident occurred at approximately 9:53 a.m. on the 1400 block of Arcola Avenue in Silver Spring. Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 4th District responded to reports of an assault in the area.
“The investigation revealed that the victim, who is a rabbi, was walking on the sidewalk on Arcola Avenue when he encountered the suspect,” the Montgomery County Police Department said in a statement. “For unknown reasons, the male suspect, identified as 47-year-old Junior Michael Reece, swung a wooden stake at the victim, striking him.”
After the attack, Reece reportedly fled the scene but was apprehended shortly thereafter by officers from the 4th District. Police located him not far from where the incident took place.
Reece was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, and authorities confirmed that the assault is being investigated as a hate crime.
The rabbi, whose name has not been released, suffered minor injuries in the attack, according to police.
Reece, who has no fixed address, was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit and has been charged with felony assault and related offenses.
The investigation into the attack is ongoing, according to local law enforcement.