Brooklyn Chabad Headquarters Ramming Suspect Arraigned on Hate Crime Charges

Suspect Faces Hate Crime Charges

• 🎯 Dan Sohail, 36, is set to be arraigned on hate crime charges for allegedly ramming his car into the Chabad World Headquarters in Brooklyn.
• ⚖️ Prosecutors will outline their case, asserting the incident was a deliberate attack rather than an accident.
• criminal mischief, and aggravated harassment, all charged as hate crimes.

Details of the Attack

• 📱 Cell phone video captured a black sedan repeatedly striking the building's entrance while hundreds of people were praying inside.
• 🚶 Police state surveillance footage shows Sohail parking blocks away, removing barricades, and then driving into the building.

Suspect's Statements and Prior Encounters

• 🤷‍♂️ When taken into custody, Sohail claimed his foot slipped off the gas pedal, attributing the loss of control to wearing "clunky boots."
• 🗓️ Investigators revealed this was not Sohail's first encounter at the Brooklyn Chabad; he was seen dancing and interacting with students there less than two weeks prior.
• 🗣️ A New Jersey rabbi also indicated Sohail may be the same individual who yelled outside his synagogue in November, claiming homelessness and a desire to convert, and was subsequently referred to mental health counseling.

Community and Security Concerns

• 🙏 Congregants express concerns about safety and the need for increased security at houses of worship.
• 🚓 The NYPD is increasing patrols at houses of worship across the city in response to the incident.