The NYPD is investigating a stabbing incident that occurred on Tuesday in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, as a suspected antisemitic attack. Police have released photos of the suspect and are conducting an extensive manhunt while significantly increasing security forces in the area.
The incident took place shortly after 4:00 p.m. (local time) near the corner of Kingston Avenue and Lincoln Place – just one block from Chabad's headquarters.
According to police, the stabbing began with a verbal argument that initially appeared random between two men. The suspect walked away from the scene, but the victim, a 35-year-old man, followed him, and the two became involved in another confrontation that turned violent. According to reports, the attacker began cursing Jews and even said, "It's okay if the Holocaust were to happen again."
At this point, according to law enforcement sources, the suspect pulled out a sharp object and stabbed the victim in the chest. Despite the injury, the victim continued to chase the suspect for some distance. He was taken to Kings County Hospital, treated and released, with his condition described as not life-threatening.
Video: The incident on the subway / Credit: Mandy Asraf
Police are examining reports that antisemitic statements were made by the suspect during the confrontation – a detail that strengthens the suspicion of a hate crime. The investigation is taking place against a backdrop of growing tension in the Jewish community, partly following the attack in Sydney, Australia, and a recent antisemitic assault on the New York subway.
We just had a huge tragedy in Bondi Beach, and everybody in this neighborhood, in particular, is connected. We are all one body, literally, figuratively, and it's horrible," Crown Heights resident and Chabad community member Karna Nebenzahl said.
