Overview

• Police identified the suspect as Christopher Martinez, 44, who allegedly approached the rabbi outside the 12th Street and Alton Road synagogue Tuesday afternoon while screaming and pointing what looked like a silver handgun.
• According to the arrest report, the rabbi said Martinez muttered the words “murder” and “Jew,” causing him to fear for his life.
• Officers detained Martinez as he tried to board a bus, then determined the item was a butane lighter designed to resemble a pistol.
• Martinez faces aggravated assault with a firearm with prejudice, a hate‑crime enhancement, with bond set at $25,000 and a stay‑away order from the synagogue and its rabbi.
• Authorities noted an extensive arrest history of more than 80 prior cases and cited a June arrest involving a knife, while the rabbi was described as very shaken and not speaking publicly during Sukkot.