In a previous case, the defendant was given the opportunity for diversion but instead threatened the Museum of Tolerance 

September 3, 2026 – LOS ANGELES, CA – A 43-year-old Lomita man who previously faced a gun-related felony case and was ordered to complete an anti-bias program has been held to answer on felony hate crime charges for allegedly threatening to shoot up the Jewish Community Center in Redondo Beach, including hundreds of children.

“This defendant was given an opportunity to confront his bias and change his behavior after his previous felony case, but instead he chose not to and allegedly threatened to shoot up a Jewish community center,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “Hate crimes have no place in our community. My office will not tolerate threats motivated by hatred and individuals who choose to engage in hate-driven crimes will be held fully accountable.”

Paul Dean Andrews (43) pleaded not guilty to one felony count each of violation of civil rights, a hate crime; making criminal threats to a school; and attempted criminal threats in case 26TRCF00540. The case was filed August 18.

Andrews was held to answer September 1 in Department 4 of the Torrance Courthouse. His arraignment on the information is set for September 16 in Department C. His bail remains at $275,000. If convicted as charged, he faces up to nine years, four months in state prison.

On August 11, Andrews allegedly called the Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Redondo Beach and made antisemitic statements that were summarized by the victim as, “We do not want Jews in the South Bay, I was promised the building, (expletive) Jew.”

On August 13, Andrews allegedly called the JCC twice and made more antisemitic statements summarized as, “We do not want Jews in the South Bay. (Expletive) Jews. Get out of the South Bay,” then made a similar comment in a subsequent call. During a third call the same day to the JCC, the defendant allegedly threatened an executive, telling him in summary: “Get out of the neighborhood. I know where you guys are. I know you are on Vail Avenue. I know there are a whole bunch of kids there. I am going to come up and shoot up the place.”

In a previous case (YA108548), Andrews was charged in 2023 with one felony count each of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and discharge of a firearm with gross negligence.

On February 15, 2024, a judge granted Andrews diversion on a charge of negligent discharge of a firearm. As a condition of diversion, Andrews was ordered to complete an anti-bias program through the Museum of Tolerance.

Instead of completing the program, Andrews called the Museum of Tolerance and a local Jewish temple on May 30, 2024. He called each several times leaving a voicemail at the museum using profanity and antisemitic slurs then saying, “You’ll never be real Americans. All Jews need to hang from trees.” At the temple, he left two voicemails saying in part: “Get the (expletive) out of San Pedro. San Pedro is for Catholics. We don’t want (antisemitic slurs) in our town.”

As a result of those calls, the Organized Crime Division filed misdemeanor charges for harassing phone calls in a second case (24LBCM04091) and filed a concurrent motion to terminate Andrews’ diversion.

On December 13, 2024, the Court found Andrews in violation of his grant of diversion and sentenced him to 16 months in state prison. Andrews was ultimately released on parole. His parole expired on June 22, 2026.

Newly filed case 26TRCF00540 is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Sergei Shubin of the Organized Crime Division, which includes the Hate Crimes Section and investigated by the Redondo Beach Police Department.

The charges in the open case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Source: Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office