Police Investigate Stabbings as Possible Hate Crime in NYC

Authorities are looking into the stabbings of two men—a Jewish man and an Asian man—on Thursday in New York City, suspecting a hate crime may be involved.

The incidents took place this afternoon on Central Park West, close to Manhattan’s Upper West Side. An eyewitness reported that a man approached the first victim, identified as Chok Sung, 57, and stabbed him in the back. Shortly after, he moved to West 86th Street where he attacked another man, Isak Grünhaus, 50, stabbing him once in the chest.

Responding to a 911 call about the assault, police officers arrived at West 84th Street. They discovered Sung conscious but with abdominal injuries, while Grünhaus was located two blocks away. Both men were taken to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, and officials expect them to recover.

On the same day, police apprehended a suspect, but details about the individual remain undisclosed. Reports indicate that the assailant may have shouted ‘Allah Akbar,’ which translates to ‘God is great’ in Arabic, prior to the attack.

Victim Jezak Grünhaus was reportedly wearing a yarmulke while exiting a synagogue nearby when the incident occurred.

Naba Shilton, who had been conversing with Grünhaus moments before the attack, claimed she heard the suspect utter ‘Allah Akbar’ as he approached. She ran out afterward and spoke to witnesses.

According to JNS, New York City has seen a concerning rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes recently. Last month, the New York City Police Department reported a 70.8% increase in such crimes compared to the previous year. Comparatively, when looking at broader monthly statistics, the rise was noted as over double, reaching 150%.

Additionally, Mayor Zoran Mamdani recently reversed several protective policies for Jews and Israelis within days of taking office. Notably, the city adjusted its reporting methods for hate crimes after recording a staggering 182% increase in anti-Semitic incidents during the mayor’s initial month in office.