On the morning of May 29, in an alarming incident outside Mesivta Nachlas Yakov School in Canarsie, Brooklyn, a 58-year-old Pakistani taxi driver named Asghar Ali launched a terrifying attack aimed at Jewish students and a rabbi. Witnesses reported that as he drove his 2011 white Crown Victoria, he aggressively revved his engine and directed his vehicle towards the unsuspecting group while shouting chilling threats to kill all Jews.
He was reportedly shouting “I am gonna kill all the Jews”.
This horrifying episode, which occurred around 11:25 AM local time, was captured on video by members of the Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol, adding a disturbing visual record to the shocking event.
The attacker’s actions prompted swift condemnation from various quarters, including American politician David G. Greenfield, who characterised the incident as “insane” and highlighted Brooklyn’s status as the largest hub of Jewish population worldwide.
Asghar, a Pakistani immigrant and cab driver, was reported to have a history of mental illness, further complicating the motives behind his actions.
Insane: Man tries to run over Jewish students in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn is home to the largest population of Orthodox Jews in the world.
Via @YWN pic.twitter.com/nFOxOi1ToC
— David G. Greenfield (@NYCGreenfield) May 29, 2024
The police department, particularly the New York Police Department’s Hate Crimes Task Force, promptly launched an investigation into the incident. Asghar was taken into custody for questioning, facing a slew of charges including attempted murder, attempted assault, and hate crimes.
Although initial inquiries did not establish any direct terrorist affiliations, investigators remained vigilant about exploring potential online radical influences.
Eyewitness accounts detailed the terrifying moments as Asghar manoeuvred his vehicle aggressively, targeting individuals dressed in Orthodox attire. Despite the apparent intent to harm, fortunately, none of the intended victims suffered physical injuries, managing to seek refuge inside the school building.
Rabbi Twersky, recalling the harrowing encounter, described how Asghar first attempted to strike a student before recklessly driving towards a larger group.
Following the attack, the swift response of the Shomrim Safety Patrol played a crucial role in apprehending Asghar. Utilising video footage and vehicle identification, members of the patrol tracked down the assailant near a Dunkin’ Donuts outlet, ensuring his capture. Bob Moskovitz, executive coordinator of the patrol, emphasised the importance of removing such threats from the community, particularly in the face of rising antisemitism.
NEW YORK: ATTEMPTED RAMMING: A man tried ramming his car into Bochurim and Rabbi outside Viener Yeshiva in Canarsie, yelling, “I’m gonna kill all the Jews” H’Y. The 58-year-old Pakistani immigrant was caught by Shomrim and NYPD. He faces attempted murder and hate crimes charges. pic.twitter.com/ttXOUMu4c9
— KolHaolam (@KolHaolam) May 30, 2024
As the investigation unfolded, details emerged about Asghar’s troubled past, including previous brushes with the law dating back to his immigration to the USA two decades ago. His recent arrest underscored concerns about his suitability to operate as a taxi driver, especially given the current climate of heightened tension and discrimination against Jewish communities.
After undergoing preliminary questioning, Asghar was transferred to Coney Island Hospital for evaluation, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to understand and address the complex factors contributing to such acts of violence and hatred.
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