Suspect made shooting gestures toward a mother, her 7-year-old daughter and other customers.
By Shula Rosen
A New York man was arrested after allegedly threatening to kill Jews and Israel while making shooting gestures toward a mother and her 7-year-old daughter at a wholesale store in Nassau County, police said.
Hasani Ferguson, 36, of Inwood, was taken into custody Sunday night following an incident earlier that day at Bingo Wholesale on Burnside Avenue in the Five Towns area.
According to the Nassau County Police Department, Ferguson approached a 34-year-old woman and her daughter as they shopped, despite having no prior connection to either of them.
Investigators allege that he shaped his hands to resemble a firearm, made sounds imitating gunshots and directed antisemitic threats at the pair.
Ferguson allegedly shouted, “Free Palestine,” “Heil Hitler,” and “Kill all Jews and kill Israel,” according to the police department.
His alleged conduct extended to other customers. Detectives said he continued shouting antisemitic remarks and pretending to shoot at shoppers as he made his way out of the business.
Police officers had responded to the location Sunday morning after receiving a report of a disturbance. Investigators subsequently identified Ferguson as the suspect and located him later that evening on Sheridan Avenue in Inwood.
He was arrested without incident and charged with making a threat of mass harm, third-degree menacing and disorderly conduct.
Authorities scheduled Ferguson’s arraignment for Monday at Nassau County District Court in Hempstead.
The Rockaway Nassau Shomrim Patrol, a community security organization, said it assisted Nassau County detectives with the investigation.
In a statement published on social media, the organization characterized the confrontation as “hate-fueled.”
According to police, the allegations involve threats directed at both the mother and child and additional customers inside the store. Investigators said the suspect’s actions included repeated gestures simulating gunfire, accompanied by statements targeting Jews and Israel.
Ferguson’s arrest followed his identification and location by authorities later the same day, with the three charges arising from the alleged confrontation at the Inwood business.
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