A Jewish man was stabbed in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, early Saturday morning in what police are investigating as a potential hate crime. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. near the intersection of Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue, close to the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters.
According to reports from Hamodia, the attacker, identified as 22-year-old Vincent Sumpter from East New York, allegedly shouted "Free Palestine" before stabbing the victim. Rabbi Yaacov Behrman, a community activist, stated that Sumpter also reportedly asked the victim, "Do you want to die?" prior to the attack.
Video: The attack near the Chabad-Lubavitch center in New York on August 10, 2024 / Credit: Usage under Israeli intellectual property law, Section 27a
The victim, whose identity has not been released, was transported to a local hospital. Rabbi Behrman reported on social media that the man "is expected to recover due to the location of the stabbing and the quick response of paramedics."
Community members who witnessed the assault pursued and detained Sumpter until law enforcement arrived. The New York Police Department confirmed that Sumpter has been arrested in connection with the incident.
Rabbi Behrman emphasized the severity of the attack, stating, "This is an extremely serious incident. The victim could have been killed." He further commented on the broader implications of the assault, saying, "This act of hateful violence highlights the dangerous impact of anti-Semitic incitement and hate propagated by some local politicians and leaders in New York and across the United States."
In response to the incident, Mendy Hershkop, a coordinator for Crown Heights Shomrim, a neighborhood watch group, urged community members to remain vigilant. Speaking to Hamodia, Hershkop advised, "We urge the community to stay alert, and if you see something, say something, by calling 911 and your local Shomrim."
