Two individuals have been arrested for allegedly plotting to attack Congregation Beth Israel, the oldest Jewish house of worship in Texas, according to authorities and court documents. Angelina Han Hicks, 18, was charged with conspiring to commit murder and assault against synagogue members, while a 16-year-old juvenile was arrested in Harris County, Texas.
Key Takeaways
Two individuals have been arrested for allegedly plotting to attack a Houston synagogue, aiming to kill as many Jews as possible by driving through the congregation. Angelina Han Hicks, 18, was charged in North Carolina, while a 16-year-old was arrested in Texas.
- Two arrests made in alleged plot targeting Congregation Beth Israel in Houston
- Plot involved driving through synagogue congregation to maximize casualties
- Investigation ongoing; two additional suspects identified but not yet arrested
- Synagogue closed temporarily as a precautionary measure
The plot allegedly involved driving through the congregation to "kill as many Jews as possible," according to court documents. The FBI's Charlotte Joint Terrorism Task Force began investigating after receiving a tip from a North Carolina law enforcement agency. Hicks is being held on a $10 million bond in Davidson County jail, and authorities have expressed concerns about an imminent threat.
The synagogue was closed Wednesday "out of an abundance of caution," according to the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, but reopened Thursday. The arrests come amid heightened security for Jewish institutions worldwide following recent attacks, including a vehicle assault on a Detroit-area synagogue last month and increased anti-Semitic threats since the U.S.-Israel war with Iran began.
Investigators have not publicly identified a motive for the alleged plot. Hicks' court-appointed attorney suggested her age could be a factor in her defense, while her father disputed the allegations, describing his daughter as a "good kid" who plays fantasy video games and does not have access to a vehicle.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 3 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.