A driver crashed a car several times into the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday night. According to the New York Police Department, a man drove his car into the building, reversed, then drove it back into the building at approximately 8:45 p.m. The incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime.
No injuries were reported, and the driver was arrested immediately upon the NYPD’s arrival at the scene. A police detail at the building was the first to notice the car driving into the rear door of the building’s main entrance, according to ABC7 New York. The driver has not been charged as of late Wednesday night, and a motive for the attack has yet to be revealed.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that the NYPD bomb squad was deployed to the scene. The unit found no explosives after a sweep of the car. Tisch, along with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and New York Attorney General Letitia James, provided an update to the media on the incident shortly after 11 p.m.
“This incident is currently being reported as a hate crime by the NYPD’s hate crime task force,” Tisch said.
She also announced that “out of an abundance of caution,” the NYPD had “significantly increased” police presence at houses of worship across all of New York City’s boroughs.
“You will see an enhanced uniform presence, specialized patrols, counterterrorism resources, and bomb squad deployments where appropriate,” Tisch added.
Mamdani condemned the attack, calling it a horrifying incident, while expressing relief that no injuries had occurred.
“I am relieved that no one was injured in this horrifying incident,” Mamdani said. “This is deeply alarming, especially given the deep meaning in the history of the institution to so many in New York and around the world, and on today of all days (in recognition of the Chabad holiday).
“Any threat to a Jewish institution or place of worship must be taken seriously,” Mamdani said. “Antisemitism has no place in our city, and violence or intimidation against Jewish New Yorkers is unacceptable. I stand in solidarity with the Crown Heights Jewish Community, and I am grateful for our first responders for taking swift action.”
James also commented on the attack and announced that her officer would be working with law enforcement in investigating the incident.
RUBIO EXPLAINS US OVERSIGHT OF VENEZUELAN OIL SALES
“This was a holiday, a Chabad holiday, and there were thousands of individuals who came to … the headquarters, all over the world,” James said. “My office will be working with NYPD to investigate this matter, and again, my thoughts and my prayers are with the Jewish community at this moment.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also condemned the attack in a social media post on X.
“For the second day in a row, Jewish New Yorkers were the targets of antisemitic violence,” Hochul posted. “Thankfully, there appear to be no injuries — but an attack against the Jewish community is an attack against all New Yorkers.”
“My team is coordinating with the NYPD and have offered any assistance we can provide in their investigation,” she added.