On the first day of Sukkos, a man approached Rabbi Menachem Korf as he exited the Chabad-Lubavitch of Florida’s headquarters in South Beach and pointed what appeared to be a silver pistol at his face while muttering anti-Semitic slurs.

Christopher Martinez, 44, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a firearm with prejudice, following the incident around 2:30 p.m. near 12th Street and Alton Road.

According to Miami Beach police, Martinez approached Rabbi Korf outside the South Beach shul while screaming and behaving erratically. Investigators say Martinez pointed what appeared to be a silver pistol at Rabbi Korf while muttering the words “murder” and “Jew.”

Rabbi Korf followed Martinez from a safe distance after he lowered the weapon and walked away. Rabbi Korf alerted nearby officers, who arrested Martinez moments later while he was attempting to board a bus.

Officers discovered the weapon was actually a butane lighter designed to resemble a handgun.

“This was another act filled with hate,” said Miami Beach Police spokesperson Officer Christopher Bess, noting that the incident happened on a busy street and on the two-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks in Israel.

Miami Beach Police Sgt. Melissa Rodriguez revealed Martinez’s troubling past. “Mr. Martinez is a habitual offender within our city. He has over 80 arrests, been convicted of crimes,” she said.

Earlier in 2025, Martinez was accused of damaging a smoke shop while armed with a knife and faced multiple charges, including aggravated assault.

During Martinez’s bond hearing, Miami-Dade Judge Mindy S. Glazer remarked, “His fake pistol looked like a real pistol, and he threatened to kill the rabbi.”

Judge Glazer set Martinez’s bond at $25,000 and ordered him to stay away from the shul and Rabbi Korf. Martinez, who is listed as homeless, is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.