Update: Redlands Drive-By Shooting Incident Being Investigated As Antisemitic Hate Crime

On Sunday, we brought you the story of a disturbing incident that occurred in Redlands, California, on Friday evening: Rodgir Cohen, a political science professor at Mira Costa College and university lecturer, shared an X post indicating that his home, which featured a prominent Hanukkah display, had been attacked in a drive-by shooting.

At the time of our initial reporting, very little was known about the incident and ensuing investigation, but now we're learning a bit more. The City of Redlands released a statement about the incident and confirmed that the matter is being investigated by the Redlands Police Department as a potential hate crime.

The full post reads:

Redlands Police investigating incident targeting Jewish family

As our friends in the Jewish community begin their celebration of Hanukkah, several tragic incidents have occurred across the globe, targeting people simply because of their faith. Unfortunately, Redlands is not immune to these hateful acts, as a local family was targeted because of their festive home decorations celebrating Hanukkah.
The Redlands Police Department is currently investigating a potential hate crime targeting a Jewish family in the 1300 block of Magnolia Avenue in Redlands Friday, Dec. 12.

The family had just arrived home Friday evening when a vehicle drove past the victims’ residence, yelled an antisemitic slur and fired several shots. No injuries or damage were reported. No shell casings were found, and home surveillance video showed no muzzle flash leading police to believe the weapon was an airsoft handgun.
Police believe the family was targeted because of the festive decorations set up outside their home to celebrate Hanukkah.

“While we are relieved that no injuries occurred, it is important to reaffirm our support of our community members, no matter their faith,” said Mayor Mario Saucedo. “Violence and hatred have no place in Redlands.”
The Redlands Police Department is actively investigating the incident and will continue to provide additional patrols in the area and around places of worship within the City.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or any suspicious activity is asked to contact Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681 ext. 1. Certain non-emergency crimes may also be reported online using the Redlands Police Department’s CopLogic reporting system at www.cityofredlands.org/report-crime. Suspicious activity and tips can be reported using the City of Redlands 311 mobile app available for Android, iPhones, and iPads.

Cohen has since spoken to local news and given additional information on the circumstances surrounding the incident:

The frightening Dec. 12 incident played out around 8 p.m. when homeowner Rodgir Cohen and his son Jon Paul were about to leave their Redlands home in the 1300 block of Magnolia Avenue.
Rodgir and Jon Paul encountered three suspects, two women and a man, in a four-door sedan.
“He was holding whatever it was towards me, but he chose to yell at me,” Jon Paul told KTLA’s Carlos Saucedo. “He said, ‘Free Palestine,’ and then he used the N-word. Looking back and realizing that what he had in his hand was likely a gun and that he was that close to me really shakes me up.”
After the encounter, the father and son got into their vehicle and drove away, but moments later, the family’s home surveillance cameras captured vehicle returning and firing more than 20 rounds at from what was likely, according to investigators with the Redlands Police Department, an airsoft gun.

We've also learned that there were three family members in the home at the time of the incident, but thankfully, as noted previously, no one was injured. The same cannot be said for the Hanukkah display:

The family’s home, adorned with Hanukkah decoration, was shot at more than 20 times. Fortunately, the only real damage was some of the inflatables in the front yard that were pierced.

We can hope that the surveillance video will assist law enforcement in tracking down the culprits and bringing them to justice. RedState will continue to follow the story and provide additional updates as warranted.

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