Grinning maniac thought he was ‘Hitler reincarnated,’ made twisted promise before threats to shoot up NYC synagogue
A Utah man accused of threatening to shoot up a Manhattan synagogue boasted that he was “Hitler reincarnated” and made a twisted pledge to kill Jews, Manhattan prosecutors revealed Thursday.
Luis Ramirez, 23, allegedly threatened to kill “as many Jews as I killed in [World War II]” in a series of unhinged X posts where he threatened a massacre at the Central Synagogue on Lexington Avenue, prosecutors said as he was arraigned on terrorism and hate crime charges.
“The defendant made terroristic threats that he was Adolf Hitler reincarnated,” Assistant District Attorney David Stuart said.
Ramirez — who flashed a sinister grin as he entered the court — was ordered held without bail and directed to undergo a psychological exam.
Ramirez was extradited from New Jersey after his Feb. 14 arrest by Port Authority cops as he was trying to cross into Manhattan through the Lincoln Tunnel.
No weapons were found inside his car when cops stopped him before crossing into Manhattan, sources said.
Prosecutors said Ramirez showed signs of paranoia and delusions while awaiting extradition to Manhattan — where he made references to himself with “being different biblical characters” in recorded prison calls.
Ramirez was discharged from military officer cadet training school in Virginia for psychological reasons, Stuart said.
Those delusions were enough for prosecutors to ask Manhattan Judge Julieta Lozano to order a mental health evaluation in addition to remanding Ramirez, which was granted by the judge.
Ramirez’s attorney, Sergio De La Pava of the New York County Defender Services, said that he felt a mental health exam was an appropriate measure for Ramirez after speaking with him and his family.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who attended the arraignment, said outside that courtroom that his office wouldn’t tolerate hate crimes of antisemitism.
“He is now charged with significant terrorism and hate crimes charges and was remanded into custody,” Bragg said.
“Any form of antisemitism is despicable, and I want Manhattan’s Jewish community to know we are remaining extremely vigilant.”
Ramirez faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of making a terroristic threat as a hate crime.
He’s due back in court on March 20.
