Islamic centers increase security following incident at Melville mosque
Jordan Endler entered the Islamic Center of Melville, located at 118 East Old Neck Road, on Wednesday at 2:36 p.m. and made statements regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, police say.
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Islamic centers across Long Island are beefing up security after a heated outburst was caught on camera at a mosque in Melville.
RELATED: Melville mosque members concerned for safety following outburst over Israel-Hamas conflict
Suffolk police arrested 46-year-old Jordan Endler, charging him with trespassing and harassment. The arrest followed an investigation by the hate crimes unit.
Police say Endler made numerous statements referencing the Israel-Hamas war, and refused to leave the building when asked.
The suspect entered a not guilty plea in court Friday.
The incident happened Wednesday afternoon at the Islamic Center of Melville.
The tirade drew the attention of Gov. Kathy Hochul, who wrote on X, “Deeply disturbed by this incident at the Islamic Center of Melville.”
Hochul directed the state police hate crime task force and the division of human rights to support the mosque community.
The Islamic Center of Long Island is hiring a private security firm in the wake of the incident.
