NEW YORK, NY — Police in Manhattan have charged Raul Morales, 51, with attempted murder and assault as hate crimes after a stabbing outside The Jewish Center on the Upper West Side. Authorities say the attack came minutes after a separate stabbing nearby, and both victims are expected to survive.
The case drew swift attention from local officials and community leaders, who gathered outside the synagogue on W. 86th St. to voice concern that the violence was motivated by bias.
What happened during the two attacks on the Upper West Side?
According to police, the violence began around 1:31 p.m. Thursday near W. 84th St. and Central Park West, where Morales allegedly stabbed a 57-year-old Asian man in the back.
Minutes later, officials say he appeared near The Jewish Center on W. 86th St. and Amsterdam Ave., where he stabbed Moshe Yezhak Grunhaus, 50, in the chest with a screwdriver as the victim was leaving synagogue services.
Why did police upgrade only one case to a hate crime?
Police said Morales faces the same underlying charges in both assaults, including attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon. But the attack on Grunhaus was additionally charged as a hate crime because investigators said statements and circumstances pointed to antisemitic targeting.
The earlier attack on the Asian man was not upgraded to hate crime charges, police said Friday.
What did witnesses and police report at the scene?
Officials said Morales yelled “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks, based on victim and witness statements. The phrase means “God is Most Great” in Arabic.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with one building worker saying the first victim was found bleeding at the corner with a knife still in his back. Another witness said Grunhaus, who was wearing a yarmulke, was on his knees and bleeding when help arrived.
What happens next in the case?
Police said a good Samaritan spotted Morales entering a NYCHA apartment building on Amsterdam Ave. near W. 89th St. Officers arrested him inside the building, where sources said he lived on the 11th floor.
Morales, who has a prior arrest history in New York City, was being held as his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court was pending Friday.
Bronxville News keeps New York and the region covered, day and night.