Eyewitness accounts painted a vivid and terrifying picture of two separate stabbings in New York City that authorities are examining as potential hate crimes. One observer described the chaotic scene as the “scariest thing” she has ever witnessed.
The suspect in question, Raul Morales, 51, allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” while attacking two men on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Thursday afternoon, officials reported.
The New York Police Department is actively probing the role bias may have played in these assaults. The victims were identified as a Jewish man and an Asian man, according to police.
Authorities highlighted that these stabbings seemed to be distinct incidents that took place in proximity. No connections have been found linking Morales with either of the victims or between the victims themselves.
During the acts of violence, the suspect reportedly yelled “Allahu Akbar.” (Manhattan Shomrim Safety Patrol/@AGHamilton29 via X)
Both men were taken to a hospital in stable condition.
Authorities are investigating whether a knife or screwdriver was used in the attacks.
A witness described seeing a knife sticking out of one of the victims following the stabbing.
“I just saw him sitting on his knees not moving at all, with this knife sticking out. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever seen. The men who worked in the building are amazing and they just ran to get help,” the witness told Fox 5 New York.
Another woman, who said she was friends with one of the victims, said she was inside a synagogue when she heard that someone had been stabbed. When she reached the scene, the victim was already being taken to the hospital.
The NYPD is looking into the incident as a possible hate crime. (Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Daily News)
“I spoke to direct eyewitnesses who said that this man had yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ and had taken a screwdriver and stabbed him directly in the chest … then the guy walked away and kind of pretended he was not culpable and said ‘maybe someone should call 911, it looks like someone’s hurt on the street,'” Nava Silton told the outlet.
Silton said she later visited the victim in the hospital and described him as brave and courageous.
“It is incredibly scary and he’s just praying the condition doesn’t get worse. He had to pull the screwdriver out of his body,” she said.
Initial NYPD findings suggest mental health may have been a factor.
“While the perpetrator has no known mental health history with the NYPD, the initial investigation suggests that mental health may have been a factor,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.
Initial NYPD findings suggest mental health may have been a factor. (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Officials across the state denounced the attack, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“These hateful and despicable attacks have no place in our city,” Mamdani said.
Hochul said she was “disgusted by what appears to be another senseless attack on New Yorkers simply because they’re Jewish.”
Anyone who tries to tear that apart will be met with the full force of the law. New York will stand with our Jewish community today, tomorrow, and always,” she said.