Man Arrested After Repeatedly Crashing Car Into Chabad Lubavitch Headquarters in NYC
A man was taken into custody on Wednesday night after he repeatedly drove his car into the world headquarters of the Chabad Lubavitch movement in New York City. The incident occurred while people were gathered for prayer at the deeply revered Hasidic Jewish site in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood.
No Injuries Reported in Deliberate Attack
Fortunately, no one was injured during the alarming event. The driver struck a door of a building within the complex, reversed, and then rammed it several more times. Video footage posted online shows a vehicle with New Jersey license plates moving forward and backward on an icy driveway before crashing into basement-level doors.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the crash as "intentional" and expressed deep concern, stating, "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."
Police Investigate as Possible Hate Crime
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that while it is too early to speculate on the driver's motives, the incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime. She noted that no bombs or weapons were found in the vehicle. The driver, who was wearing shorts, emerged from the car shouting to bystanders that "It slipped" and told police he was trying to park.
Chabad Lubavitch spokesperson Motti Seligson reported that some doors were damaged in the crash. The headquarters, commonly referred to as 770 after its Eastern Parkway address, is a Gothic Revival building that receives thousands of visitors annually and has inspired replicas worldwide.
Historical Context and Security Concerns
The crash happened on the 75th anniversary of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson becoming the leader of the Lubavitch movement. Schneerson, who died in 1994, remains a globally revered figure. The site has a history of tension, including being at the epicenter of the Crown Heights riots in 1991 and a stabbing incident in 2014.
There has been a near-constant police presence around the headquarters for years due to its significance and past security issues. Authorities continue to examine the driver's mental state as part of the ongoing investigation.
