Suspect arrested for mass shooting threat toward San Antonio Jewish community site

Authorities have arrested a suspect believed to be the person who planned to carry out a mass shooting at San Antonio’s Barshop Jewish Community Center, according to a statement from city officials.

In an emailed statement, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said his department increased police presence around Jewish community sites on Thursday after receiving an FBI alert about the threat. The suspect is now in custody based on statements the person made while being questioned by authorities, the chief also added.

“We appreciate the community’s vigilance and continued cooperation,” McManus said.

Officials with the FBI’s San Antonio field office told the Express-News the suspect is being held outside Texas. They didn’t identify the individual or say where they’re being held. 

“Based on our investigation, we don’t believe there is an imminent threat targeting the Jewish community in the San Antonio area,” an FBI spokeswoman told the daily. 

Northwest San Antonio’s Barshop Jewish Community Center hosts a variety of activities for the city’s Jewish community and houses a Holocaust memorial museum. The center shut down early Thursday as a result of the threat, according to KSAT News.

“I appreciate Chief McManus and SAPD working to quickly mitigate any potential increased risks to our Jewish community and we will continue to monitor this situation closely with City Manager Walsh,” San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones said in a statement. “Anti-Semitism has no place in San Antonio, and we’ll take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of our Jewish neighbors.”

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This article appears in Jun 12-25, 2025.