A suspect in a recent arson incident involving nearly 12 NYPD officers in Brooklyn has been identified as Jakhi Lodgson-McCray, a 21-year-old linked to anti-Israel protests, police reported on Wednesday.
The NYPD has shared images of Lodgson-McCray across social media as they search for the individual who reportedly set fire to 11 police cars, causing approximately $800,000 in damages last week. He’s also accused of vandalizing a statue during protests at Columbia University.
The department emphasized, “There’s zero tolerance for those who attack the NYPD.”
Detective Joseph Kenney, the NYPD chief, mentioned, “We believe he acted alone,” regarding the incident that took place near the North Brooklyn headquarters.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured him around 40 minutes prior to the arson, and he appeared to be unaccompanied. Kenney noted, “Several times during the escape, he changes clothes,” stating that while he wore a hoodie, his face was obscured and he wasn’t wearing a mask.
The police were able to identify Lodgson-McCray just four days post-incident through video tracking.
Interestingly, the police’s interest in him isn’t solely based on the car fires. He is also linked to a vandalism case at Columbia University last September, where he allegedly caused over $1,000 in damage to a campus statue. “He is very active in the protest community, particularly in the free Palestinian movement,” Kenney commented based on his social media activity.
Records indicate that Lodgson-McCray has been arrested multiple times up until January 2023, including for resisting arrest during anti-ICE protests and participating in various demonstrations against Israel. He currently faces two open cases. One involves a resisting arrest incident in Manhattan on May 28, from which he was released without bail, while the other relates to charges from an event in Queens on May 15.
Authorities are requesting anyone with information to contact @nypdtips or call 1-800-577.
