In the heart of San Fernando Valley’s Orthodox Jewish community, two men in an underground parking garage were shot in the legs at 6:20 yesterday morning as they were about to enter the Adat Yeshurun Synagogue. The assailant, who did not utter a word, was wearing a black, hooded sweatshirt.  Both victims, ages 38 and 53, are in stable condition at separate hospitals.  Security camera footage is still being reviewed by authorities.  The search continues, as local police just released a 17-year-old male suspect.

Though the attack is being categorized as a hate crime by organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told reporters, “we are looking into every possible motive…until [the police] have concluded their investigation, none of us…should presume or speculate more about this crime, other than it was a random act of violence.”

I will update with more details as they become available.