Virginia man arrested with handgun outside DC synagogue
Police detained Tyler Finn after security staff detected a firearm during entrance screening for Shabbat services.
By Marco Whitaker ·
Tyler Finn, a 32-year-old resident of Lynchburg, Virginia, was arrested on Saturday morning after attempting to enter Washington Hebrew Congregation in Washington, DC, with a handgun. The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed the detention on Monday, detailing that Finn was apprehended by on-site security before he could proceed further into the building.
Finn arrived at the facility prior to the start of Shabbat services. During standard entrance screening, security personnel assigned to the synagogue discovered the firearm. They immediately detained Finn and held him until law enforcement officers arrived at approximately 10:15 a.m.
Police charged Finn with three counts: carrying a pistol without a license, possessing an unregistered firearm, and possessing unregistered ammunition. An incident report cited by the Jewish News Syndicate indicated that authorities are not currently investigating the event as a hate crime. The distinction was documented in the official case records.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington released a public statement on Monday to address the situation. The organization confirmed that no injuries were sustained by anyone during the incident. It emphasized its ongoing coordination with the affected synagogue and local law enforcement agencies.
The federation noted that its security program, JShield, maintained close contact with Washington Hebrew Congregation and police officials. JShield serves as the community security and crisis response program for the federation, working to protect schools, synagogues, and other Jewish institutions in the region. The group stated that there is no known threat to the broader Greater Washington Jewish community at this time.
The incident occurred on a Saturday morning, a period when many congregants are present for weekly services. Security protocols involving JShield and local police managed the situation without causing disruption or harm to the congregation. Authorities have continued to monitor the situation in the days following the arrest, with the focus remaining on the specific charges related to the unlicensed and unregistered nature of the weapon and ammunition found in Finn's possession.
