A 51-year-old man is in custody after allegedly stabbing two individuals outside a New York City synagogue on Thursday afternoon while shouting "Allahu Akbar," according to police.
Raul Morales was apprehended for the attack, which occurred near Central Park. Police stated that shortly after 1:30 p.m., Morales allegedly stabbed a 57-year-old man in the torso, then attacked a 50-year-old man outside an Orthodox synagogue. Both victims, an unidentified Asian man and a Jewish man, were transported to Mt. Sinai-St. Luke's Hospital and are expected to survive, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.
Morales was arrested at an apartment building a few blocks from the scene after a "good Samaritan" reportedly directed officers to his location. The suspect was taken into custody around 2:45 p.m.
Authorities are investigating the motive for the attack. According to victim and witness statements, Morales yelled "Allahu Akbar" during both assaults. Detectives are examining whether the incident constitutes a hate crime. Police Commissioner Tisch noted that mental health may have also played a role and that investigators have not yet established any links between Morales and the victims, or between the victims themselves.
Initial reports indicate the first victim, a 57-year-old Asian man, was attacked near West 84th Street and Central Park West. The second victim, a 50-year-old man wearing a yarmulke, was reportedly assaulted after leaving a synagogue on Amsterdam Avenue and West 86th Street. He was allegedly stabbed with a screwdriver.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the incident, stating that "hateful and despicable attacks have no place in our city." He confirmed he had been briefed on the situation and expressed relief that the victims were in stable condition and gratitude for the swift response by law enforcement.
New York City police respond to the scene of the stabbing attack on the Upper West Side on Thursday. Members of the NYPD Crime Scene Unit were also observed investigating the area.