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TO NATIONAL EDITORS:
ADL Calls Shootings At Jewish Community Facilities In Overland Park,
Kansas "Heinous And Unspeakable Acts Of Violence"
ST. LOUIS, April 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called the shootings earlier today at two
Jewish community centers near Kansas City, which left three people
dead, "an unspeakable and heinous act of violence" and called on the
public not to draw any conclusions until authorities have released the
results of the investigation.
While authorities have not yet determined whether the incidents were a
hate crime, ADL remains in close contact with local, federal, and
state law enforcement officials as the investigation continues.
The shootings at the Jewish Community Center and the Village Shalom
assisted living facility in Overland Park, Kansas, left people three
dead. One person was in custody. The alleged shooter was described by
authorities as a white male in his 70s who was not from Kansas. A
shotgun and a handgun were believed to have been used during the
shooting spree.
"The attacks on the Jewish community centers in Overland Park are a
cowardly, unspeakable and heinous act of violence," said Karen
Aroesty, ADL St. Louis Regional Director. "While it is too early to
label these shootings as a hate crime, the fact that two Jewish
institutions were targeted by the same individual just prior to the
start of the Passover holiday is deeply troubling and certainly gives
us pause. We have reached out to local, state and federal law
enforcement and stand willing and able to offer guidance and
assistance to the community if this incident turns out to have been
motivated by anti-Semitism."
Just last week, ADL sent out a security bulletin to Jewish community
institutions across the country warning of the increased potential for
violent attacks against community centers in the coming weeks, which
coincide both with the Passover holiday and Hitler's birthday on April
20, a day around which in the United States has historically been
marked by extremist acts of violence and terrorism, including the
violence at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas and the
Oklahoma City Bombing..
"ADL is not aware of any additional threat to Jewish institutions at
this time," said Ms. Aroesty. "Nevertheless, it is appropriate for
Jewish institutions to make sure that all of their security measures
are in place and in good working order."
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading
organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that
counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry. Follow us on Twitter:
@ADL_News
SOURCE Anti-Defamation League
-0- 04/14/2014
/CONTACT: In St. Louis: Karen Aroesty (314) 308-4890, In New York: Todd Gutnick (917) 544-2342, adlmedia@adl.org
/Web Site: http://www.adl.org
CO: Anti-Defamation League
ST: Missouri Kansas
IN: PUB
SU: AVO REL
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