New York City prosecutors accused a knife-wielding man of hate crimes after he allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” before stabbing an Asian man and a Jewish man in a violent spree last week.
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The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said Raul Morales, 51, was arraigned late Friday on attempted murder and several hate crime assault charges in the attacks that took place the day before in the Upper West Side.
Prosecutors said Mr. Morales wounded his first victim around 1:30 p.m. Thursday when he stabbed an Asian man in his 50s and yelled “Allahu Akbar” before plunging the knife into the man’s back.
The suspect then walked a few blocks before confronting a kippah-wearing Jewish man who was leaving a synagogue.
Authorities said Mr. Morales was heard saying “Justice for Islam” and “Allahu Akbar” as he stabbed the victim in the chest with a screwdriver.
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Police said both victims are expected to survive the attacks.
Prosecutors said the suspect reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” three times during the stabbing spree. He was arrested later at his public housing unit.
“I am thankful that he is being held accountable and hope he will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This kind of despicable violence is not who we are as a city. Every New Yorker deserves to be safe, regardless of their religion or race,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted Friday on X.
“Our administration will always stand against bigotry and do everything in our power to root out antisemitism, racism, and hateful acts of all kinds,” he said.
Prosecutors said Mr. Morales could spend up to 40 years behind bars if convicted.
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