A violent confrontation in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon has left a 35-year-old man wounded in what New York City police are investigating as a possible antisemitic hate crime, authorities confirmed. The stabbing occurred amid Hanukkah celebrations, prompting heightened concern over targeted attacks against Jewish residents.
Stabbing Unfolds After Verbal Dispute Near Chabad Center
According to the NYPD, the incident began shortly after 4 p.m. at the corner of Kingston Avenue and Lincoln Place, near the Chabad Lubavitch world headquarters — a site that has seen increased security in recent years. What started as a verbal disagreement between two men escalated quickly, culminating in the suspect pulling out a sharp weapon and stabbing the victim in the chest during the altercation. New York Post
The injured man was treated at Kings County Hospital and released in stable condition, police say. Witnesses reported that after the assault, the victim continued to follow the suspect for several blocks before losing sight of him.
NYPD Launches Manhunt and Expands Patrols
In response to the attack, the NYPD released photos of the person of interest and deployed additional officers throughout Crown Heights as part of an ongoing manhunt. The suspect was last seen wearing a black varsity jacket with the word “Genuine” on the back and the number “91” on one sleeve.
Police officials say early reports indicate that antisemitic remarks may have sparked the violent encounter, and detectives from the department’s Hate Crime Task Force have joined the investigation to determine motive.
Context: Rising Tensions and Related Incidents
This stabbing in Crown Heights comes after another reported antisemitic incident over the weekend on a New York City subway, where a group of Jewish young men returning from a Hanukkah event were allegedly harassed and threatened. While police have not confirmed a direct link between the two episodes, both incidents have stirred alarm within the local community.
Neighbors and community leaders are urging vigilance and unity as officers continue their search for the suspect. The NYPD has reiterated that anyone with information should come forward to assist in the investigation.
