By COLlive reporter
Mayor Zohran Mamdani, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and New York State Attorney General Tish James provided an update Wednesday night on the investigation into a ramming attack at 770 Eastern Parkway, the world headquarters of Chabad-Lubavitch in Crown Heights.
Speaking at the scene, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stressed that the details remain preliminary.
According to Commissioner Tisch, the incident occurred at approximately 8:46 p.m.
“Officers from the 71 precinct assigned to a detail in front of the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway heard a commotion in the building’s main entrance. When they responded, they observed a vehicle strike the the rear door, reverse, and strike the rear door again.”
She said officers immediately took action. “Officers immediately ordered the driver out of the car and they placed him under arrest. The bomb squad has responded to the scene and conducted a full sweep of the vehicle. The car has been cleared and no explosive devices were found.”
Commissioner Tisch confirmed that no one was hurt. “There are no reported injuries at this time. This incident is currently being investigated as a hate crime by the NYPD’s hate crimes task force,” she said, adding that police presence has been increased citywide. “Out of an abundance of caution, the NYPD has significantly increased security around houses of worship throughout all five boroughs. You will see an enhanced uniform presence, specialized patrols, counterterrorism resources, and bomb squad deployments where appropriate.”
Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed relief that there were no injuries and underscored the seriousness of the attack.
“I am relieved that no one was injured in this horrifying incident. This is deeply alarming, especially given the deep meaning in the history of the institution to so many in New York and around the world,” he said.
Referring to the significance of the day and the site, the mayor added, “And on today of all days, the Yartzeit of Rabbi Schneerson and the leadership of [the Rebbe] Menachem Mendel Schneerson, any threat to a Jewish institution or place of worship must be taken seriously. Antisemitism has no place in our city and violence or intimidation against Jewish New Yorkers is unacceptable.”
Mayor Mamdani said he stands with the Jewish community. “I stand in solidarity with the Crown Heights Jewish community and I’m grateful to our first responders for taking swift action. I will keep New Yorkers updated as we learn more about this incident.”
Attorney General Tish James also addressed the press conference, noting her personal connection to the area. “I’m the former city council member who has represented this community in the past and I know this community very closely and deeply. They are part of my family,” she said.
She emphasized the timing and scale of the gathering at 770. “This was a holiday, a Chabad holiday, and there were thousands of individuals who came to 770 Eastern Parkway, the headquarters all over the world,” James said, adding that her office will be involved. “I will be working, my office will be working with NYPD to investigate this matter.”
When asked additional questions, officials said it was too early to provide further details. “We’re still very early in this investigation as to his mental state and I have not heard of any weapons that were recovered at this time,” one official said, reiterating that the investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities said updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
VIDEO
Credit: Daniel Yeroshalmi/ch_response
Hashem help us AMEN!!!!
It’s time for בִּנְעָרֵ֥ינוּ וּבִזְקֵנֵ֖ינוּ נֵלֵ֑ךְ בְּבָנֵ֨ינוּ וּבִבְנוֹתֵ֜נוּ בְּצֹאנֵ֤נוּ וּבִבְקָרֵ֨נוּ֙ נֵלֵ֔ךְ
Did Mamdani actually use word “yartziet”?
He did
Everyone has to relax. Everyone! Including mamadani and the police. I saw what happened > no anti American just a mentally ill guy driving int 770 3 times. Scary for the people inside. But once we discovered mines hurt (although they may traumatized a bit) entire relax!! No need to shut down chocolate and Kingston till union and eastern parkway till Alabany. Even if the mayor showing up. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
I mean, just look at the guy…he’s wearing shorts in 15° weather.
Did you really just normalize the fact that someone tried driving their car into chabad headquarters?
Mental illness is the way people play down every incident of antisemitism when they don’t want it to be take seriously. Please stop it!
Whatever his rhetoric, he showed up!!!
Is that a luggage carrier on top of the guy’s car?
I wonder where he got the car from
A lot of suicide bombers in Israel, where mentally unstable the Terrorist use them because they could be manipulate them to do these horrific acts so what happened today in 770 is very dangerous because it could happen easily again 770 Has no private security but they collect hundreds of thousands of dollars what a shame
What do we learn from this. We must continue to learn Torah and improve our davening and keep ramming gates of Heaven. Eventually it will open the more we persist in our Avodas HaShem. So many young people give up after trying to grow in learning. Learn from this guy. He persisted until the doors came down. The same is with kiruv. So many shluchim worldwide try for years to be mekariv yidden. They must keep at it and never give up on any Jew until they break through to their neshoma. Young teenagers roaming the streets start learning five… Read more »
Mamdani doing good work!
Whelp we complaining we voted for this mayor?
The police did not respond as soon as the commotion happened!!! It’s seen on video they even walk passed by him!!!! Until the guys tell them who to arrest. And even then they seem so clueless of their surroundings !!!
According to the video footage the Police were not there very quickly, the guy got out of the car willingly himself and was not told to do so by police. He alao makes no attempt to flee the scene before the police arrive. This chas vesholom could have been much worse. A real terrorist could have exited that car weilding a knife or gun and one dares to think what could have happened with all those onlookers just standing around. What were they thinking?? Do they not know what has been happening in the world?? We must not rely on… Read more »
Such an easy opportunity for him to come. The suspect it white. It totally fits his narrative. Imagine it was someone in a keffiah, doubt he would be here so fast. Jump on the opportunity so when something happens that doesn’t fit his narrative he can easily point to this when he showed up.
In other words, you’re projecting on to the mayor what you have just done yourself.
The fact Mamdani showed up doesn’t fit your narrative that he’s a virulent antisemite, and so you’re casting aspersions on how he would act in a different theoretical situation.