Squirrel Hill resident charged with ethnic intimidation, arson
Graffiti found at Squirrel Hill park
Squirrel Hill resident William Murray was arrested on May 23 for ethnic intimidation relating to a hate symbol he allegedly drew at the entrance of Congregation Shaare Torah.
Murray faces 34 criminal charges — including one felony count of arson — for being found in “possession of explosive or incendiary materials, causing or risking catastrophe and multiple counts of making or possessing prohibited weapons.”
The material was found when Murray was evicted from his apartment and his landlord was clearing out his possessions.
Pittsburgh police arrested Murray at a homeless shelter after he failed to appear for a May 14 hearing about the hate symbol drawn on Shaare Torah’s building.
Law enforcement hasn’t established a motive for the crimes but does not believe Murray poses a threat to the community, according to Shawn Brokos, director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
Murray purportedly identifies as “half Jewish, half wizard,” Brokos said.
He is being held in custody until his next scheduled court appearance.
In other community security news, anti-Israel graffiti was found at Blue Slide Park in Squirrel Hill.
No one has been charged for the graffiti, which is similar to graffiti seen in the neighborhood since Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel.
Federation urges anyone who has witnessed an antisemitic incident to report it on the Federation’s website, jewishpgh.org/form/incident-report.
— David Rullo
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