Woman accused of trying to set fire at Jewish school arrested in New York City

A woman accused of attempting to set a New York City Jewish school on fire was arrested and charged on Sunday with reckless endangerment, a hate crime and attempted arson.

The New York City Police Department Hate Crimes Task Force said on Twitter that Sharee Jones, a 39-year-old woman from Brooklyn, was arrested in connection with the case.

UPDATE: HCTF Detectives, assisted by Manhattan/Queens Warrants, apprehended this individual.

Arrested:
Jones, Sharee
39 year old female
Brooklyn, NY

Charges:
Reckless Endangerment/Hate Crime
Attempted Arson@NYPDShea @NYPDDetectives @NYPDSHOMRIMSOCI @ADL_NYNJ @NYPD70Pct https://t.co/B31L3rKmc6

— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) October 17, 2021

According to police, an unidentified female was seen in front of the Yeshiva of Flatbush on Thursday evening pouring gasoline in front of the building then setting it on fire.

Photos posted by the task force showed a woman holding a red gasoline container near the fence in front of the building.

No one was injured in the incident, according to the task force.

On 10/14/21, at approx 7:27 PM, in front of 1609 Avenue J (Yeshiva of Flatbush), an unidentified female poured gasoline in front of the Yeshiva and lit it on fire. No one was injured. If you have any information, DM @NYPDTips or ☎️ 1-800-577-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/kIRAInp9Z7

— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) October 15, 2021

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) condemned the attack on Friday, writing, “An attack on one of our yeshivas is an attack on all New Yorkers.”

“We WILL bring this person to justice,” de Blasio added.

An attack on one of our yeshivas is an attack on all New Yorkers, and we WILL bring this person to justice.

If you have any information on who perpetrated this vile act against our Jewish brothers and sisters, please contact the NYPD. https://t.co/fpPBhDXZhP

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) October 15, 2021

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) denounced the incident in a tweet, “These cowardly acts of hate have no home here.”

Last night, an unidentified individual poured gasoline in front of the Yeshiva of Flatbush & ignited it. Thankfully, there were no injuries.@nyspolice Hate Crimes Task Force is ready to assist as necessary in the investigation. These cowardly acts of hate have no home here.

— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) October 15, 2021

The incident at the Yeshiva of Flatbush came during a year that saw a startling rise in antisemitic attacks in the U.S.

The Anti-Defamation League revealed in May that reports of antisemitic incidents had increased by 63 percent since the 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out in the Gaza Strip earlier that month.