October 30, 2009 Synagogue beefs up security after shooting Play video

(NECN/ABC: North Hollywood, Calif.) - Police and private security guards walked around the grounds of the Adat Yeshurun Synagogue and its neighboring school Friday morning.

After Thursday's shooting incident, worshippers returned for early morning services.

"The rabbi makes sure everything goes back to normal. Even yesterday, 10 minutes after the shooting he make sure that everybody gets back to normal and start praying," worshiper Mike Bacher said.

The shooting happened in the synagogue's underground garage.

Police said Maor Ben-Nissan, 37, and Allen Lasry, 53, had just arrived when a gunman wearing a hooded sweatshirt approached them and shot both men in the legs. He then fled.

"We know that one of the, one of the guys went home yesterday. He went home at 1:30 P.M. and the other one will hopefully be home today if not on Sunday," Rabbi Amram Gabay of the Adat Yeshurun Synagogue said.

Police immediately beefed up patrols in Jewish communities. But investigators do not believe it was anti-Semitic violence. They reportedly suspect one of the victims may have been targeted because of a business or personal dispute.

"I believe it's not a hate crime okay. It's not a hate crime. Because, you see, in Los Angeles, in America, we have a lot of Japanese, we have Mexicans, we have Jews, we have all the religions. So, we are supposed to be friendly, to care about each other, and respect each other," Rabbi Gabay said.

The synagogue is increasing its own security, particularly to ease the concerns of parents of children at the school.

"Probably they're going back to school today, and you know, they're afraid," worshiper Henry Rbibo said.

ABC's Amy Powell reports.