A man carrying a hammer and described by law enforcement sources as having more than 50 prior arrests followed a woman into a Jewish school in Queens on Tuesday, sparking a confrontation with security that ended with an 8-year-old boy suffering a head injury, sources said.
The 42-year-old suspect allegedly locked eyes with a 19-year-old woman, who is not Jewish, near Hoffman Drive and Woodhaven Boulevard in Elmhurst at about 10:50 a.m. before beginning to trail her, according to the sources.
Seeking safety, the woman ran into the Jewish Institute of Queens on Woodhaven Boulevard near Wetherole Street, but the man allegedly attempted to enter the school behind her, the sources said.
A school security guard moved to block him from getting inside, and during the struggle, an 8-year-old boy was inadvertently struck by the guard and hit his head against a fence, according to sources.
The child was brought to Long Island Jewish Hospital with a cut to his head, an injury officials said was not considered life-threatening.
Police took the suspect into custody at the scene and recovered the hammer, with charges still pending, sources said.
Authorities are examining whether the Queens school incident could be classified as a hate crime, though sources said there was no immediate indication the suspect made any statements suggesting a bias motive.
Queens Shmira, a nonprofit public safety patrol that also responded to the scene, said it “can confirm that this incident was not a hate crime” and described the suspect as “an emotionally disturbed individual.”
The arrested man has 51 previous arrests in the Big Apple — including one from Friday when he allegedly stole $1,300 worth of things from Bergdorf Goodman, sources said.
He was freed without bail, according to public records.
He was also busted on July 8 for a petit larceny, and nabbed on May 7 for an April 30 petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property case — both in Queens, the sources said.
The suspect also has an extensive history of mental health-related incidents in the city and has a gang affiliation, according to the sources.
A representative from the school declined to comment when reached by The Post.
“I am praying for the injured child, the college-aged woman who sought refuge, and everyone impacted by this frightening incident,” Council Member Phil Wong, who represents the area, said in a statement. “I am also grateful to the institute’s security personnel and the officers of the 112 Precinct for their swift actions in bringing this dangerous situation to an end.”
Additional reporting by Xavier Serrano
