Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announces charges following Temple Israel arrest

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced four charges Monday against Jaden Thomas Leblanc, 21, following his arrest on Oct. 4, 2024.

Mr. Leblanc is charged with three counts of terroristic threats as well as one count of fifth-degree assault.

“Mr. Leblanc’s behavior caused fear and concern amongst the Temple Israel community,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “While the evidence available at this time does not suggest that this crime was motivated by bias against the Jewish community, every member of our community deserves to feel safe. We will seek accountability for Mr. Leblanc that ensures community safety.”

Mr. Leblanc is currently in custody.

According to the complaint:

Mr. Leblanc had multiple interactions with the Temple Israel security team, beginning on Sept. 9, 2024, when he threw a beer bottle against the wall of Temple Israel’s playground. When told to stay off the property, Mr. Leblanc made a “gun gesture” toward the security team and verbally threatened to shoot one of them.

The next day, Mr. Leblanc threw a beer bottle into the Temple Israel parking lot. When the victim brought the bottle to Mr. Leblanc on a nearby porch and asked him to refrain from throwing trash on the property, he threw it at the victim’s head before advancing toward the victim, who used pepper spray.

Temple Israel staff received three threatening calls, including one that referenced the previous bottle-throwing incident, stating that the caller’s brother had been pepper sprayed. Temple Israel staff informed Minneapolis police that they did not believe the aggression was motivated by bias.

On Oct. 3, Temple Israel security reported seeing Mr. Leblanc standing across the street from the Temple holding a handgun. Temple security stated they saw a black handgun being switched from Mr. Leblanc’s right hand to his left and put into his shirt pocket.

On Oct. 4, law enforcement spotted Mr. Leblanc riding in a vehicle and arrested him.

No firearm was found in a search of his room.

Case Number: 27-CR-24-22925

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