A 40-year-old man was arrested by FBI agents while he was attempting to carry out a bomb attack on a synagogue in Aventura, Florida, daily Miami Herald reported.

James G. Medina is accused of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction to blow up the Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center, in North Miami, during services last Friday as crowds filled the synagogue in observance of the second to last day of the Passover holiday.

The man was portrayed by law enforcement officials as being anti-Semitic and that might have been a factor in his motivation to carry out the deadly plot. According to local news reports, he may have converted to Islam.

Enforcement law sources underlined that no harm was caused to the synagogue or its worshipers. They added that the center had not been in immediate danger as federal agents took the suspect into custody before any harmful action occurred.

FBI agents learned about the imminent threat from confidential sources and were able to thwart it.

Rabbi Jonathan Berkun and Executive Director Elliott Karp released a statement on the synagogue’s Facebook page:

“The leadership of our congregation has been briefed by law enforcement and Jewish community security officials about this situation. They assured us that the synagogue and school were never at risk at any time during the investigation and arrest, and that there are no credible threats directed against us at the present time

“Please be assured that our security protocols are well in place, which includes close coordination with local law enforcement agencies to insure the security of our facility and the safety of our members, children, staff and visitors.”