Federal and local investigators are seeking a suspect who used a knife to destroy an Israeli flag displayed at a North Side residence, the fourth hate-motivated attack targeting the same property since 2024.
Deena Blumenfeld noticed damage to the flag outside her Buena Vista Street home on the evening of January 17 as she prepared to attend a performance. Security cameras at the residence recorded the entire incident, showing a man arriving in an aging white pickup truck before approaching the property with a blade.
The footage reveals the suspect concealed his vehicle’s registration with what appeared to be blue paper before exiting. He walked to Blumenfeld’s residence and peered through a front window, then returned to his truck. After retrieving a knife, he came back to slash the flag before driving away.
Pittsburgh Bureau of Police are seeking information about a suspect who is seen destroying an Israeli flag on North Side.
Previous attacks on Blumenfeld’s home have escalated over the past two years. Someone painted hate speech reading “For blood and soil” in front of her property and others distributed antisemitic materials nearby. Her flag was stolen and discarded during another incident.
In 2024, former city employee Mario Ashkar ripped down an Israeli flag from the property and discarded it in a garbage can. Ashkar received 12 months of probation and was ordered to complete 20 hours of community service at a Jewish nonprofit as part of a settlement. Investigations stemming from the Ashkar incident led to the uncovering of the city’s P-Card scandal.
Authorities charged Michael Walter Lawlor with stalking, harassment, ethnic intimidation, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief in connection with one earlier incident, according to The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. Court proceedings are scheduled for February.
Blumenfeld has replaced her damaged flag and stated she will not relocate despite the ongoing harassment.
Zone 1 detectives are examining surveillance material from multiple neighborhood cameras. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has distributed images of the suspect and is requesting help from the public to identify them.
Pittsburgh police request anyone with information contact Zone 1 at (412) 323-7201.