By COLlive reporter
As community members and students were gathered for Yom Kippur prayers, gunfire was heard outside the Chabad center serving Elon University and Burlington in North Carolina.
The gunshots were reported to the police between 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, myfox8.com reported.
Elon police said officers found damage to the glass in the back cargo area of a nearby vehicle and the roof rack on the passenger’s side. They determined the damage was caused by a bullet, which was found in the roof rack.
The university’s Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley said no threats made against specific people. “There is no indication of any ongoing threat to the campus community,” he wrote.
The news reported that the case is not under investigation as a hate crime, but police say that could change.
In a statement, Rabbi Mendy and Rivka Minkowitz of Chabad Elon wrote:
“Yesterday we marked the holiest day on the Jewish calendar – Yom Kippur. Here at the Chabad Jewish Student Center, we enjoyed 25-hours of prayer, introspection, and togetherness. For some, it was their first time participating in a Yom Kippur service and for others, it was the first Yom Kippur at school, but for all, it was an inspiring and uplifting Yom Kippur.
“In the final hour of Yom Kippur, while students and others attended services at our Chabad House, a vacant vehicle parked on the street in front was damaged by gunfire.
“Thank G-d, no one was hurt.
“The police are investigating the incident and have assured us they are taking it very seriously. We will continue to work closely with them.
“If you have pertinent information, that can be helpful to their investigation, please share it with the police immediately (Elon Police 336-584-1301).
“We feel blessed every day to live in a country founded on the ideals that all people are created in G-d’s image and that all people deserve freedom and liberty. We are grateful to the men and women in law enforcement who protect those rights and thankful to all the support we have received from the community since the incident.
“As we move from the High Holidays and the Days of Awe to the Days of Joy during this holiday season, we look forward to a year of peace, goodness, and blessing for all mankind.”