Alleged Midwood arsonist indicted for attempted murder
Brooklyn’s district attorney today announced attempted murder and arson charges against a 41-year-old Pennsylvania man for intentionally setting fire to a rabbi’s home in Midwood.
DA Eric Gonzalez’s office on Monday arraigned Matthew Karelefsky of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, before Brooklyn Supreme Court on a 17-count indictment, charging him with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree arson, second-degree attempted murder and related charges for setting fire to a home on East 17th Street that injured 11 people, including a six-week-old infant, four first responders and two police officers.
“This defendant allegedly traveled to Brooklyn with the sole intent to kill and had no concern for the dozens of people he deliberately put in harm’s way,” said Gonzalez in a statement.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, on June 13 around 3:50 a.m. a rabbi of a local yeshiva and his wife awoke to a fire in their three-story home at 1492 E. 17th St. The fire spread to two homes on either side of the property, causing 13 residents and an infant to evacuate, with many individuals being treated for smoke inhalation.