Federation, law enforcement seek man who made online threats against Jews
Brokos said that Wright issued threats on various social media sites.
Pittsburgh resident Malik Wright, aka Ben David Malik, has made online threats against the Jewish community, according to Shawn Brokos, director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
While he has made no threats specifically targeting Jews in Pittsburgh, Brokos urged caution.
Brokos said that Wright issued threats on various social media sites, but they are in private groups and unavailable for viewing by the general public. The postings, she said, were aimed broadly at Jews; those posts, in combination with photos of Wright holding weapons, have contributed to an elevated threat level.
Although the community’s threat level has risen, Brokos noted, Wright’s posts have not crossed over into the category of hate crimes, including religious bias.
Brokos’ office is actively working with law enforcement to locate and interview Wright, she said.
While he hasn’t been seen in Squirrel Hill, Brokos urged anyone who spots him to call 911. To that end, she has distributed a “be on the lookout” form to the heads of all Pittsburgh Jewish institutions.
In other security-related news, Brokos said that Andrew Clinton’s trial date has been postponed until February 2023 at the request of defense attorneys.
—David Rullo
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