“Morales yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ during both attacks,” Tisch said. “The NYPD is currently evaluating whether this is a potential hate crime.”
By United with Israel Staff
Two men, including a Jewish man, were stabbed in separate apparently unprovoked attacks on Manhattan’s Upper West Side Thursday afternoon, with police investigating the incidents as potential hate crimes.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the suspect allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks, according to statements from the victims and witnesses.
The first victim, a 57-year-old Asian man, was stabbed in the back near West 84th Street and Central Park West shortly after 1:30 p.m. He was taken to Mount Sinai-St. Luke’s Hospital in stable condition.
Police later located a 50-year-old Jewish man suffering from a stab wound to his torso. The victim, who was reportedly wearing a yarmulke and had just left a synagogue, was also hospitalized in stable condition.
Police arrested 51-year-old Raul Morales in connection with both attacks and said no other suspects are being sought.
“Detectives are continuing to work the case and determine motive, but according to victim and witness statements, Morales yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ during both attacks,” Tisch said. “The NYPD is currently evaluating whether this is a potential hate crime.”
Police said there is no known connection between Morales and either victim, or between the two victims themselves.
While Morales has no known mental health history with the NYPD, Tisch said the initial investigation suggests mental health may have played a role.
The commissioner also praised a Good Samaritan who helped officers locate the suspect and the police officers who apprehended him without further injuries.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the attacks as “hateful and despicable,” saying he was relieved that both victims were in stable condition.
“The NYPD responded immediately and arrested Raul Morales in connection with both assaults, and I am grateful to the officers for their swift response,” Mamdani said.
“These hateful and despicable attacks have no place in our city.”
The stabbing of a visibly Jewish man comes amid continuing concerns over antisemitism in New York and follows a week in which Mamdani has faced renewed scrutiny over his approach toward Israel.
Earlier this week, Mamdani acknowledged that New York City lacks the independent legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite his previous pledges to seek Netanyahu’s arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant.
Mamdani nevertheless renewed his attacks on the Israeli leader, calling Netanyahu a “war criminal” and “the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.”
“My administration has reviewed every avenue available under applicable law to determine whether New York City could execute the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant,” Mamdani said Tuesday. “It is clear we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant.”
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