In response to a disturbing incident at the Chabad World Headquarters in Brooklyn, the NYPD is ramping up security measures around places of worship throughout New York City. This move comes after a driver allegedly targeted the building in what authorities are investigating as a potential hate crime, as announced by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
The unsettling event unfolded when a Honda sedan crashed into a side entrance of the Chabad building, situated on Eastern Parkway near Kingston Avenue in Crown Heights. The incident occurred around 8:46 p.m., and Commissioner Tisch addressed the situation during a press conference at the scene, which serves as the international headquarters for the Chabad movement.
According to Tisch, the vehicle not only struck the entrance once but reversed and charged at it again. The chaotic scene escalated as the driver rammed the entranceway repeatedly, eventually causing one of the doors to come off its hinges. Throughout this ordeal, the driver was captured on video shouting, “I f–cking slipped, you a–hole,” before finally exiting the vehicle.
Video posted online by Kol Haolam News shows the Honda sedan repeatedly slamming into a side entrance to the Chabad headquarters, with the driver backing up and then driving into a pair of double doors multiple times.
The footage concludes with police officers apprehending the driver, handcuffing him, and escorting him away from the scene. Witnessing the incident was Avrohom Pink, who observed the repeated assaults on the Jewish sanctuary from outside the headquarters.
The video ends as two police officers handcuff the driver and lead him away from his vehicle.
Avrohom Pink watched from outside the Chabad headquarters as the driver repeatedly slammed into the Jewish sanctuary.
“At first I thought he was trying to park,” said Pink. “He pulled in and started ramming the doors over and over again.”
As he repeatedly struck the building with his car, the driver warned pedestrians to stand clear, Pink said.
“He was yelling for people to get out of the way,“ said Pink. “I don’t think he was trying to hurt anyone. I don’t understand why anyone would try to destroy our building.”
There were no injuries and the driver was taken into custody by NYPD officers stationed outside the Chabad HQ, according to Tisch.
Tisch said the Honda was later searched and cleared by the NYPD’s bomb squad. The case is being investigated by the department’s Hate Crimes Task Force.
New Yorkers can expect increased security around holy places across the city, including additional uniformed patrols, counter-terror resources and bomb squad deployments, Tisch said.
Mayor Mamdani joined Tisch at the Chabad World Headquarters to condemn the suspected hate crime.
“This is deeply alarming, especially given the deep meaning of the institution to so many in New York and around the world. And on today of all days,” said the mayor. “Any threat to a Jewish institution or place of worship must be taken seriously. Anti-Semitism has no place in our city.”
The incident occurred on a Chabad holiday that drew thousands of worshippers to Brooklyn from across the globe, according to NY State Attorney General Tisch James.
“I am blessed and this community is blessed that no one was injured,” said James, who is a former Crown Heights councilmember.
When asked about the incident, a Chabad spokesman said, “It seems it was intentional,” but added the driver’s motive remains a mystery.
“We’re grateful to the authorities for their rapid response,” said Chabad spokesman Motti Seligson. “They have the individual in custody, now we’re waiting to hear about their motivation.”
