Investigators are now looking into whether the two attacks were driven by hate. Let’s see. The man yelled “Allahu Akbar” and stabbed an Asian man in the back and then a visibly Jewish man leaving a synagogue.
Police said the first victim, a 57-year-old Asian man, was found at West 84th Street and Central Park West. He had been stabbed once in the back with a knife.
The second victim, a 50-year-old Jewish man, was found at West 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, police said. That victim had been stabbed in the chest with a screwdriver. Both victims were taken to a local hospital and are expected to survive.
Commissioner Tisch said the victims and witnesses reported that suspect Raul Morales yelled “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said, in part: “Detectives are continuing to work the case and determine motive. But according to victim and witness statements, Morales yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ during both attacks. The NYPD is currently evaluating whether this is a potential hate crime. While the perpetrator has no known mental health history with the NYPD, the initial investigation suggests that mental health may have been a factor.”
This afternoon, two people were stabbed in separate attacks on the Upper West Side. Both victims — an Asian male and a Jewish male — were removed to Mt. Sinai-St. Luke’s Hospital, and both are expected to survive.
The NYPD has arrested 51-year-old Raul Morales in connection…
— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) July 23, 2026
So, what, it’s not a hate attack, just another person with mental issues?
Menashe Shapiro, who lives just blocks away from the scene of one of the stabbings and once served as former Mayor Eric Adams’ deputy chief of staff, says the Jewish victim had just left a synagogue up the street when he was attacked.
“People want to live as Jews as they always have, and now they feel like they can’t,” Shapiro said.
Police said the victims do not know each other, and there is no known connection between Morales and either of the victims.
Morales is a muslim convert.
Police identify 51-year-old Raul Morales as the suspect in the stabbing of an Asian man and a Jewish man on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. pic.twitter.com/CGRofbnD9D
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) July 23, 2026
One day after NYC’s Mayor Mamdani ranted on a viral video about the fake genocide by Israel, a Jewish man is stabbed while the attacker screams, “Allahu Akbar.” So, Zohran said, “These hateful and despicable attacks have no place in our city,” he wrote, in part. He should follow his own guidance.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani is a liar who hates everything America stands for — and it’s not even related to Israel. Wake up Americans. You’re losing your country. pic.twitter.com/cfL5zDe6TX
— Emily Schrader – אמילי שריידר امیلی شریدر (@emilykschrader) July 23, 2026
