Brooklyn Man Charged with Hate Crime for Ramming Car into Chabad World Headquarters

Incident at Chabad World Headquarters

• 🚨 Authorities have charged a 36-year-old man from Carteret, New Jersey, with a hate crime for ramming his car into the Chabad World Headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
• 💥 The incident occurred at 8:45 PM last night, with the car repeatedly striking the wooden doors of the building, described as being used like a battering ram.
• 🤕 Fortunately, no one inside the building was injured during the attack.

Suspect and Motive

• 👮 The suspect, identified as Dan Sohail, was taken into custody immediately by an NYPD detail stationed nearby.
• 🧠 Police sources describe him as an emotionally disturbed individual.
• 💔 Investigators believe the motive stems from Sohail being upset that some Kabad communities in New Jersey were not more accepting of him, leading him to lash out.
• 🗓️ Notably, Sohail had reportedly visited the Chabad World Headquarters about 10 days prior and danced with worshippers, who had apparently welcomed him.

Official Response and Community Reaction

• 🏙️ Police Commissioner Jessica Tish and Mayor Eric Adams rushed to the scene, condemning the act and stating that anti-semitism has no place in the city.
• 🙏 Ultra-orthodox worshippers gathered outside the headquarters, singing and chanting, expressing pride and strength despite the incident.
• 🤝 Community members are calling for increased security to ensure their safety and security.

Broader Context of Incidents

• ⚠️ This event follows other recent anti-semitic incidents, including swastikas found on a playground in Borough Park and an assault on a rabbi in Forest Hills on Holocaust Remembrance Day.
• ⚖️ Arrests have been made in those previous incidents as well.

Suspect's Statements

• 🤷‍♂️ When apprehended, the suspect initially claimed his foot slipped, and later stated he lost control of the car because he was wearing clunky boots.
• 🧐 Detectives are reportedly not buying the accident claim, and he is being charged with attempted assault as a hate crime.