Suspect Arrested in Jewish Museum of Maryland Arson Attempt

August 11, 2024 Staff Report

Jewish Museum of Maryland staffers and other community leaders and members gathered last Friday evening to welcome the arrival of Shabbat "after a difficult week.”

A suspect was arrested last Saturday, Aug. 10, by Baltimore City Police for setting a fire in front of the Jewish Museum of Maryland compound.

Detectives identified Reservoir Hill resident Assadollah Hasemi as the suspect in the arson attempt, which is designated as a hate crime.

Hashemi, 66, has a history of fire-related crimes, according to police. “Hashemi is charged with second-degree arson and first-degree attempted malicious burning, documents show,” the police said in a statement. “Charging documents also listed damages to the Jewish Museum of Maryland are more than $1,000.”

During a virtual bond hearing on Monday, Aug. 12, Hashemi reportedly had several violent outbursts and was denied bond. In the courtroom, the judge alluded to the suspect’s history of bipolar disorder and called for a competency evaluation, according to media reports. Pending the evaluation, the next court date will be scheduled for sometime in the next two weeks.

Hashemi was arrested without incident by Special Weapons and Tactics unit officers at his residence in the 700 block of Druid Park Lake Drive. He was immediately taken to the Central Booking Intake Facility and charged.

Federal and city fire officials investigated the arson that occurred Sunday night, Aug. 4, at the JMM. The JMM, located at 15 Lloyd Street in East Baltimore’s Jonestown community, is currently undergoing an extensive renovation and is closed to the public.

A construction worker with the renovation crew discovered what appeared to be burned material on the JMM premises on Monday, Aug. 5, according to WBAL-TV.

On Wednesday, Aug.7, city fire investigators and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives examined fire residue and video surveillance that showed an individual setting the fire. The Baltimore field office of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted the Baltimore police and fire officials with the investigation.

The video showed an “unknown older male with a gray beard and or goatee, wearing a tan bucket hat, dark colored shirt, Army fatigue pants, black and white shoes,” according to charging documents. The documents said the suspect left ignited objects in front of the JMM and drove away in a silver, four-door Chrysler 300 with black rims. Video showed a license plate linked to Hashemi.

According to police, the museum has not received any threats recently.

The museum, which is an agency of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, is flanked by the historic Lloyd Street Synagogue and B’nai Israel Congregation. On Friday evening, the JMM’s leadership and staff gathered with members of B’nai Israel and other community groups to welcome the arrival of Shabbat and to offer “a space for connection and care after a difficult week.”

On social media, the Baltimore Jewish Council posted, “The BJC joined with many community partners Friday evening at the Jewish Museum of Maryland following this week’s small arson fire. We are deeply grateful for the hard work by our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for their efforts to investigate and make an arrest on Saturday.”

In a message to the community posted on Aug. 8, Sol Davis, the JMM’s executive director, wrote, “This week, we experienced an unsettling moment on our campus. … We are grateful that no one was injured, and that the Museum property sustained only superficial damage. … As we move toward reopening the Museum building, we do so with a deep sense of purpose rooted in an understanding that the JMM, its staff, board of directors, and volunteers are the caretakers and stewards of our communal history.”