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Man arrested for vandalism of Pittsburgh synagogue and possession of explosives

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A Pittsburgh man was arrested Thursday for possession of explosives and graffiti at a Squirrel Hill synagogue, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh said Friday.

According to the Federation, 33-year-old William Murray is facing 34 charges of possession of “explosive or incendiary substances, causing or threatening a disaster, and several counts of manufacturing or possessing prohibited weapons.”

The suspect was scheduled to appear in court on May 14. He was charged with ethnic intimidation, institutional vandalism and property damage for placing a hate symbol on the Shaare Torah Synagogue on April 8. However, according to the Jewish organization, he did not show up for the hearing.

Rise of anti-Semitism in Pittsburgh

Police officers guard the Tree of Life Synagogue after Saturday’s shooting at the synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 28, 2018. (Source: AARON JOSEFCZYK/REUTERS)

The synagogue had reported to Pittsburgh police that Murray had carved what was initially thought to be a Star of David. However, on April 12, police said that “upon closer inspection and additional photographs, it was determined to be very similar to a KKK (Ku Klux Klan) hate symbol.”

The association said it does not currently believe Murray poses “a threat to our community.”

The Pittsburgh metropolitan area is suffering from a rise in anti-Semitic graffiti, according to the federation. In 2024, 128 incidents were recorded there, while in the same period in 2023 there were only 44 incidents.

“We continue to operate in an elevated threat environment and are working closely with law enforcement to monitor potential threat activity,” the association said.



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