Man Terrorized Minneapolis Synagogue, Assaulted Guard: Police

MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis man is accused of terrorizing Temple Israel, a local synagogue, and assaulting one of the security guards there.

Jaden Thomas Leblanc, 21, was arrested on Oct. 4. He faces three counts of terroristic threats and one count of fifth-degree assault.

"Mr. Leblanc’s behavior caused fear and concern amongst the Temple Israel community," Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement.

"While the evidence available at this time does not suggest that this crime was motivated by bias against the Jewish community, every member of our community deserves to feel safe. We will seek accountability for Mr. Leblanc that ensures community safety."

Leblanc had multiple interactions with the Temple Israel security team, beginning on Sept. 9 when he threw a beer bottle against the wall of Temple Israel’s playground, according to authorities.

When told to stay off the property, Leblanc made a “gun gesture” toward the security team and verbally threatened to shoot one of them, police said.

The next day, Leblanc threw a beer bottle into the Temple Israel parking lot, according to prosecutors.

When asked to stop, Leblanc threw another bottle at a security guard's head before advancing toward the victim, who used pepper spray, police said. Temple Israel staff later received three threatening calls, according to investigators.

On Oct. 3, Temple Israel security saw Leblanc standing across the street from the Temple holding a handgun, police said.

Temple security stated they saw a black handgun being switched from Leblanc’s right hand to his left and put into his shirt pocket, according to investigators.