Washington [US], October 22: The president of a Jewish synagogue was found stabbed to death in front of his house in Detroit (Michigan, USA) on the morning of October 21.
Ms. Samantha Woll (40 years old) has been the president of the Isaac Agree Downtown synagogue in Detroit since 2022. She was found dead in front of her house with many stab wounds on her body on the morning of October 21, CNN quoted police as saying.
After receiving the notification, the police arrived at the scene and saw a trail of blood from where the victim lay extending into the house. Police believe the crime occurred inside the home.
The Guardian newspaper quoted Ms. Woll'sneighbors as saying no one had seen or heard anything unusual. They describe the area as quiet and one of Detroit's wealthier areas.
The motive for the killing is unknown and Detroit police are turning the case over to the homicide investigation team. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also provides assistance upon request.
It is unclear whether the killing is linked to the conflict in the Gaza Strip. According to The Guardian , Michigan is home to the largest Arab population per capita in North America and is also home to a large Jewish community. Tensions between groups are rarely reported, although last week police arrested a Jew for making threats against local Muslims.
The escalation of the Hamas-Israel conflict has prompted US Attorney General Merrick Garland to warn that Jews, Muslims and Arabs face a growing threat of hate crimes and violence.
Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue has posted pro-Israel posts on social media and held community services since the Hamas attack. On October 19, such an event took place to share about Hamas's attack on the Jewish community and the deaths of innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians.
Mayor Mike Duggan said Ms Woll's death was a huge loss for the city community. He said he and Ms. Woll celebrated the renovation of the synagogue just two weeks ago.
The Detroit Free Press reported that Ms. Woll worked for Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and worked on the re-election campaign of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Both of them are members of the Democratic Party and both shared about the death of the synagogue president.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
