Security group asks U.S. Jewish groups to be on alert

JTA

WASHINGTON — The security arm of the U.S. Jewish federations asked Jewish officials to remain vigilant in the wake of a deadly attack on a French Jewish school, citing the possibility of copycat attacks.

“While this event initially appears to be localized, we are always concerned about the possibility of copy-cat attacks,” a spokesman for the Secure Community Network, the Jewish Federations of North America’s homeland security initiative, told JTA. “We’ve been in contact with our European partners and are continuing to monitor the situation.”

Four people – a teacher and three students – were shot dead Monday outside a Jewish school in Toulouse. A man riding a motorbike reportedly opened fire Monday morning outside the Ozar Hatorah School, where students were waiting to enter the building at the start of the school day.

The shooter then entered the building shooting at students and teachers.

He then fled on his motorbike.