Key takeaways:
- Raul Morales, 51, was arrested after two men were stabbed Thursday near Central Park on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
- Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said witnesses reported Morales yelled “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks, and the NYPD is evaluating the case as a potential hate crime.
- Both victims — one Asian man and one Jewish man — were hospitalized in stable condition and were expected to survive.
New York City police are investigating two daylight stabbings near Central Park as possible hate crimes after authorities said the suspect yelled “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks.
The stabbings happened around 1:31 p.m. Thursday on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, about two blocks apart along Central Park West, the New York Police Department said. Both victims, adult men, were taken to a hospital in stable condition and were expected to survive.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the suspect as Raul Morales, 51, and said he had been arrested. Detectives are still working to determine a motive.
“Detectives are continuing to work the case and determine motive, but according to victim and witness statements, Morales yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ during both attacks,” Tisch said in a statement on X. “The NYPD is currently evaluating whether this is a potential hate crime.”
One victim is Asian and the other is Jewish, Tisch said. The Guardian, citing an NYPD spokesperson, reported that Morales allegedly stabbed a 57-year-old Asian man in the back with a knife, then stabbed a 50-year-old Jewish man in the torso with a screwdriver. Despite initial reports that both men were Jewish, the Asian victim was not, according to the Times of Israel.
Police said the first attack occurred at 84th Street and Central Park West. The second happened at 86th Street and Central Park West.
Tisch said there was no known connection between Morales and either victim, and no known connection between the victims themselves. Police are also assessing whether mental health may have played a role.
“While the perpetrator has no known mental health history with the NYPD, the initial investigation suggests that mental health may have been a factor,” Tisch wrote.
After the attacks, a bystander helped police locate the suspect, officials said. Tisch described the person as a good Samaritan.
“I want to commend the bravery of a good Samaritan who led our officers to the location where the perpetrator was hiding,” she wrote.
The Guardian, citing the New York Times, reported that Morales walked back to his apartment after the stabbings. A witness watched him and told police which building he had entered, according to an NYPD spokesperson cited by The Guardian.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he had been briefed on the attacks and was grateful that both victims were stable. He also thanked responding police officers.
“The NYPD’s initial investigation suggests that mental health may have been a factor. They are also evaluating these stabbings as potential hate crimes,” Mamdani said in a statement.
“These hateful and despicable attacks have no place in our city,” he said.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also condemned the attacks.
“The strength of New York has always been our ability to live together across every faith and background,” Hochul said.
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