The Attack on 770 Eastern Parkway (Image Credits: Media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com)
Brooklyn, New York – Police took a man into custody Wednesday night after he repeatedly drove a vehicle into the doors of the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters in Crown Heights.[1][2]
The Attack on 770 Eastern Parkway
Officers stationed at the site around 8:45 p.m. heard a loud commotion at the building’s main rear entrance. They witnessed a gray Honda sedan with New Jersey plates strike the wooden doors, reverse, and then hit them multiple times more.[3][4] Video footage captured the impacts, showing one door splinter and break off as bystanders shouted warnings.
The driver, described as heavyset with a beard and dressed in shorts despite freezing temperatures, emerged from the car. He told a bystander the vehicle “slipped” before officers handcuffed him without incident. He appeared to spit toward the gathering crowd as police led him away.[3]
No one suffered injuries in the episode. A bomb squad swept the sedan, equipped with a roof cargo carrier, and found no explosives or dangerous devices.[2]
NYPD Hate Crimes Unit Takes the Lead
The New York Police Department quickly classified the event as a potential hate crime. Its Hate Crimes Task Force assumed control of the probe, with Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirming the focus during a statement.
“Officers who attended the scene saw a driver repeatedly ram into the rear door of the building,” Tisch explained. “Officers immediately ordered the driver out of the car and placed him under arrest. The NYPD’s hate crimes taskforce is investigating the incident.”[1] No charges had been filed as of Thursday morning, and investigators have not disclosed a motive.
In response, the NYPD boosted security patrols around houses of worship across all five boroughs as a precaution.[1]
A Symbolic Target for Chabad-Lubavitch
The Gothic Revival building at 770 Eastern Parkway serves as the global headquarters for Chabad-Lubavitch, a major Hasidic movement within ultra-Orthodox Judaism. Thousands had gathered there for a Chabad holiday observance when the crash occurred.[2]
The site holds profound spiritual and historical importance for Jews worldwide. New York Attorney General Letitia James noted the timing amplified concerns, while the Anti-Defamation League called it “a beloved symbol of Judaism around the world.”[2][4]
Leaders Condemn the Violence
City Mayor Zohran Mamdani labeled the incident “deeply alarming, especially given the deep meaning and the history of the institution.” He added, “Any threat to a Jewish institution or place of worship must be taken seriously. Antisemitism has no place in our city, and violence or intimidation against Jewish New Yorkers is unacceptable.”[3]
- Governor Kathy Hochul reposted videos, stating an “attack against the Jewish community is an attack against all New Yorkers.”[1]
- The ADL New York/New Jersey expressed gratitude for the “swift arrest” and stayed in contact with authorities.[4]
- Mamdani affirmed solidarity with the Crown Heights Jewish community.[4]
Key Takeaways
- No injuries occurred, but doors sustained significant damage from multiple impacts.
- Police arrested the driver on site; hate crime status drives the ongoing investigation.
- Officials heightened security amid broader worries about antisemitic threats.
This episode underscores persistent vulnerabilities at sacred sites, even under routine police watch. As the inquiry progresses, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance against bias-motivated acts. What steps should communities take to safeguard places of worship? Share your thoughts in the comments.
