Woman sets fire to Brooklyn Jewish high school; police seek help identifying her

A woman tried to start a fire outside a US yeshiva high school in Brooklyn on Thursday, prompting New York City’s hate crime force to launch an investigation.

Images provided by NYPD showed the suspect, in dark clothes, walking past the gates of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School at around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. As she passed the gates, the woman poured gasoline from a red container.

After lighting the fuel, she ran off. A security guard at the school then put out the flames using water.

There were no injuries in the incident.

The NYPD Hate Crimes forces tweeted a clear photo of a woman holding a red canister and asked for information to identify her.

It also posted a video showing the suspect buying the gasoline canister.

The Hate Crime Task Force would like to speak with the below pictured individual. If you know her identity and/or whereabouts, please DM us or @NYPDTips or call them at 1-800-577-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/pil9864qNg

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

New video of the female sought in connection to the fire in front of the Yeshiva. Please DM @NYPDTips or ☎️ 1-800-577-TIPS if you have any information. @NYPDBklynSouth @NYPD70Pct @NYPD67Pct @NYPD63Pct @NYPDSHOMRIMSOCI @ADL_NYNJ @JCRCNY https://t.co/B31L3rKmc6 pic.twitter.com/hPNHy6ealc

— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) October 16, 2021

Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted that an attack on “one of our yeshivas is an attack on all New Yorkers” and vowed to bring to justice the perpetrator of the “vile act against our Jewish brothers and sisters.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the state police hate crimes force was also ready to help.

“These cowardly acts of hate have no home here,” she tweeted.

NBC New York reported that a $3,500 reward was being offered for information leading to an arrest.