Man Charged With Hate Crimes After Car Rams Chabad Lubavitch Headquarters in Brooklyn

Car Ramming at Chabad Lubavitch Headquarters on Wednesday Night

A driver repeatedly rammed his car into the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters building in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday evening, according to New York City police officials speaking Thursday.

Authorities identified the driver as 36-year-old New Jersey resident Dan Sohail. Police say Sohail used a 2012 Honda Accord to strike the building. Video from the scene shows a vehicle crashing into a set of doors at the end of the driveway next to the headquarters and repeatedly ramming the doors until one came off its hinges.

Sequence of Events Captured on CCTV and Video

New York Police Department Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said CCTV footage shows Sohail parking his 2012 Honda Accord a few blocks away from the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters on Wednesday evening. He then walked to an alleyway next to the building and removed several blockades from the driveway.

According to Kenny, Sohail returned to his car, drove it to the driveway, exited the vehicle to remove snow from the sidewalk, and then drove into the alleyway before hitting the building with the vehicle five times. Video from the scene shows bystanders watching as the car rammed the doors repeatedly. As two people cautiously approached, the suspect emerged from the car wearing a jacket, shorts and boots. Two officers arrived shortly afterward and took him into custody.

Charges, Hate Crime Probe and Police Response

Kenny stated that Sohail faces several charges, including attempted assault, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and aggravated harassment, and that these charges are being treated as hate crimes. Kenny said the hate crime designation is based on the fact that Sohail attacked a Jewish institution and that Sohail was clearly aware it was a synagogue, having previously attended an event there approximately 10 days earlier.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Sohail was quickly arrested and that there were no reported injuries. Tisch also said the NYPD bomb squad conducted a sweep of the vehicle and found no explosive devices. She added that she was not aware of any weapons recovered at the scene.

Kenny stated that there are no specific or credible threats to synagogues or other houses of worship in New York City. However, police have significantly increased patrols at these locations out of an abundance of caution. Tisch said security has been enhanced at places of worship across all five boroughs and that the public will see an increased uniformed presence, specialized patrols, counterterrorism resources and bomb squad deployment when appropriate.

Statements from Officials and Ongoing Investigation

Kenny said Sohail has no criminal history in New York City. Authorities are working with law enforcement in New Jersey and with the FBI as part of the investigation. He also said officials believe Sohail was in Brooklyn on Wednesday night to continue his attempt to connect with the Lubavitch Jewish community.

During his interaction with officers and investigators, Sohail claimed his foot slipped when he was taken out of the car, according to Kenny. While later speaking with investigators, Sohail said he had lost control of the car because he was wearing clunky boots, Kenny added. Details about what investigators learned or suspected about any motive were not released, and Tisch said the investigation is preliminary.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was relieved that no one was injured in the incident and described it as deeply alarming due to the significance of the institution. New York Attorney General Letitia James said her office will be working with the NYPD to investigate the incident.

Community Activity at Headquarters on Day of Incident

Yaacov Behrman, head of public relations at the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters, said Wednesday marked the 75th anniversary of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson and described the day as significant on the Chabad calendar, with thousands of young rabbinical students in the neighborhood.

Behrman said he spoke with a group of rabbinical students who interacted with the suspect roughly an hour before the incident. According to Behrman, the suspect asked the students when a Hasidic gathering was happening, and they told him it was also taking place the next day, but mainly that night.