Samantha Woll was the president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in downtown Detroit. Her body was found outside her home on Saturday morning with multiple stab wounds.
Officers were called about a person lying on the ground. When the officers showed up, there was a “trail of blood” that led them to Woll’s home. It is believed that the crime itself took place inside her home.
While Woll was pronounced dead on the scene, there’s an investigation still going on in terms of how she was killed.
Here’s what the Detroit Police Department is saying: it’s not a hate crime.
No, of course not. The fact that she was the president of a synagogue and also Jewish couldn’t possibly be a motive for anyone.
Establishing it as a hate crime would mean that Detroit has a problem with Jews. Considering all that is going on with Palestine and Israel, there couldn’t possibly be any kind of motivation.
And yet, there are still a lot of questions. Police Chief James White is asking people to be patient while the investigators look at the evidence. “It is important that no conclusions be drawn until all of the available facts are reviewed.”
Hmmm, but isn’t saying that it’s not a hate crime already jumping to conclusions?
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has already issued a statement, “My heart breaks for her family, her friends, her synagogue, and all those who were lucky enough to know her. She was a source of light, a beacon in her community who worked hard to make Michigan a better place.”
Many have issued public statements about the loss of Woll for the community.
Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin has said, “My heart aches that we have lost someone so dedicated to serving others in such a senseless act. I’ll miss her relentless desire to serve & her bright smile seemingly everywhere across the Detroit area.”
It’s clear that Woll made a positive impact on the community.
So, if it wasn’t a hate crime, who stabbed the synagogue president and why?
