Car Repeatedly Rams Rear Entrance of 770; Suspect in Custody

A chaotic scene unfolded Wednesday night at the Chabad World Headquarters, as a vehicle rammed twice into the back entrance of 770 Eastern Parkway.

Baruch Hashem no injuries were reported.

Police were on the scene almost immediately after the ramming, which occured at 8:46PM, and have taken a suspect into custody.

Sources familiar with the situation tell Belaaz that the individual arrested is emotionally disturbed, but the NYPD is investigating it as a hate crime, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a news conference late Wednesday night.

“In response to the incident, the NYPD has significantly increased security around houses of worship,” Tisch added.

Thousands of Chabad chasidim were at 770 to mark both the yahrtzeit of the 6th Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Rayatz zt”l, and the beginning of the leadership of his successor, the last Lubavitcher Rebbe zt”l.

As part of strict safety protocols, the 770 building was evacuated. The NYPD Bomb Squad has been requested to the scene to sweep the vehicle and the surrounding area strictly as a precautionary measure.

City and State officials condemned the attack as antisemitic.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, standing alongside community leaders and police officials, expressed relief that no one was hurt but condemned the violence as “horrifying.”

“This is deeply alarming, especially given the deep meaning and the history of the institution to so many in New York and around the world,”Mamdani said. “Any threat to a Jewish institution or place of worship must be taken seriously,” the Mayor added, emphasizing that “antisemitism has no place in our city.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James, a former City Council member for the district, spoke of her personal connection to the community, calling them “part of my family.”

“This was a holiday, and there were thousands of individuals who came to 770 Eastern Parkway… I am blessed, and this community is blessed, that no one was injured,” James said. She vowed that her office would work closely with the NYPD on the investigation.

Governor Kathy Hochul wrote: “For the second day in a row, Jewish New Yorkers were the targets of antisemitic violence. Thankfully, there appear to be no injuries – but an attack against the Jewish community is an attack against all New Yorkers.”

“My team is coordinating with the NYPD and have offered any assistance we can provide in their investigation.