Youth Attacks Synagogue With Fire-Bombs, Rifle

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29165, 28 March 1960, Page 13

Youth Attacks Synagogue With Fire-Bombs, Rifle

GADSDEN (Alabama), March 26. Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents today arrested a 16-year-old, self-styled Nazi seven hours after a fire-bomb and rifle attack on a packed Gadsden synagogue.

The police questioned the high school student about the attack in which two members of the Jewish congregation were hit by bullets when they rushed from the service during the incendiary attack. The boy, who was in custody early today, had, according to police, been telling friends that he was planning just such an attack. He was reported to have worn a Nazi armband and a redpainted Nazi helmet. The Governor of Alabama (Mr John Patterson) issued a statement soon after the incident. “I am shocked to hear of this outrageous and unlawful act, and every effort will be made to find the guilty parties and punish them,” he said. “I want it clearly understood that this State will not tolerate lawless acts and mob violence in any form.” Mr Patterson said he had asked the State Safety Director. Mr Floyd Mann, to send State investigators into the area to work with local officers. One of the wounded, Allen Cohn is in a serious condition and underwent surgery at a Gadsden hospital. The other wounded man. Alvin Lowi. suffered a comparatively minor bullet wound in the hand. Mrs Lowi said of the incident: “The glass broke ... it was a terrible feeling ... Mr Cohn was sitting near the back. He was the first to run out. “Just after he ran out, there

was a shot. My husband ran out and somebody yelled for him to duck. They got him in the hand.” The congregation’s president. Mr Hyman Rosenburg, said: “Some of the fire came in. You could see it falling to the floor and burning.” The police had discovered the boy in a hotel room in central Gadsden. They said that he admitted throwing the bomb and firing the shots. The boy was held on two charges of assault with intent to murder. He told a solicitor, Mr Charles Wright, that he’ planned the assault for two weeks because of a grudce against two Jewish boys which grew out of a chess game. Police gave no details of this. The boy told police that he was alone but police said the case was still open with the possibility that more were involved. The boy told high school friends of the plot earlier this, week but no one took him seriously, according to Mr Wright. He said that he became excited when the first of two bombs did not go through the synagogue window and that he was no* shooting at anyone in particular He had no idea that anyone was hurt and merlv kept shooting until his rifle jammed. He then d’mve away. Police later sa'd they were not accepting the boy’s statement that he alone was responsible.