Panic swept through New York City after a man carried out two separate knife attacks within a short time frame, leaving two people injured. According to witness accounts cited by authorities, the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar” during both assaults.
Suspect in Custody, Victims Stable
The suspect, identified by NYPD Chief Jessica Tisch as 51-year-old Raoul Morales, has been taken into custody. The two victims — one described as of Asian descent and the other as Jewish — were both men attacked in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. They were transported to a local hospital and are not considered to be in life-threatening condition, Tisch confirmed.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attacks. While NYPD is treating the incidents as potential hate crimes, officials have not ruled out the possibility that Morales may be suffering from mental health issues. Tisch noted that although Morales has no known psychiatric history in NYPD records, early investigative findings suggest his mental health could have played a role.
Official Response
Mayor Zoran Mamdani condemned the violence, stating: “Such abhorrent hate-fueled attacks have no place in our city.” The NYPD continues to assess whether the stabbings constitute bias-motivated crimes, based on statements from victims and witnesses who reported hearing Morales shout “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks.