A 51‑year‑old man was arrested on Thursday afternoon after stabbing two men on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Prosecutors say the suspect faces attempted murder, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon charges related to the attacks.
The victims were a 57‑year‑old Asian man and a 50‑year‑old Jewish man. Both were transported to hospitals where they were reported to be in stable condition.
Police charged the suspect with attempted murder for both victims and added hate‑crime allegations for the Jewish victim, including assault as a hate crime. Weapons possession charges also apply.
Investigators describe the stabbings as separate incidents that occurred close together in the afternoon. Witnesses reported the suspect shouting a religious phrase during the attacks.
Authorities are examining whether bias played a role and noting that mental health factors may have influenced the suspect’s actions, although no prior mental‑health record was found.
City officials condemned the attacks, with the mayor calling them “hateful and despicable” and the governor expressing disgust at the apparent targeting of the Jewish community.
Following the arrest, the suspect was taken to downtown for booking. During a public appearance, he shouted a plea for justice for a family and referenced an unidentified woman, the significance of which remains unclear.
The case remains under investigation as authorities seek to clarify motives and connections between the suspect and the victims.
