A man has been arrested on multiple charges following two separate stabbings on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, New York police said, with prosecutors applying hate crime allegations to one of the attacks but not the other.
Arrest and charges
Police identified the suspect as Raul Morales, 51. He was taken into custody on Friday and faces attempted murder charges among other counts. Authorities have said the hate crime enhancement was invoked in relation to the assault on a Jewish victim; the second victim, described as being of Asian descent, was not the subject of a hate crime charge, according to law-enforcement officials and reporting.
Circumstances of the attacks
The incidents occurred on Thursday afternoon, about two blocks apart, on the Upper West Side. Witnesses told investigators that Morales shouted the Arabic phrase “Allahu akbar” during each attack. Both victims were taken to hospital; police said neither injury was believed to be life-threatening and both were expected to survive.
- Suspect: Raul Morales, 51, arrested and awaiting arraignment.
- Victims: Two men, one Jewish and one Asian American, both hospitalised and expected to survive.
- Allegations: Attempted murder and further charges; hate crime allegation applied to the Jewish victim’s assault.
What officials and community groups said
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said there was no known connection between the suspect and the victims. She also noted that investigations continue to establish motive, while acknowledging witness statements that the suspect uttered the shouted phrase during both attacks.
“Asian New Yorkers, like Jewish New Yorkers, have endured waves of hate-fuelled violence in recent years,”
The comment was part of a broader response from New York’s governor, who expressed disgust at the attacks and stressed solidarity with both communities. Advocacy groups also reacted, with The Asian American Foundation warning the incidents highlighted ongoing safety concerns for Asian Americans and urging increased investment in protective measures and hate-prevention work.
Charges and prosecution: what happens next
While the police have laid a set of charges, prosecutors will determine the final counts and whether hate crime enhancements are pursued in court for one or both attacks. Authorities have not immediately provided detailed reasoning for applying the hate crime statute to only one of the assaults; such decisions typically rest on evidence that the defendant targeted a victim because of a protected characteristic.
| Item | Known detail |
|---|---|
| Suspect | Raul Morales, 51 |
| Victims | One Jewish man; one man of Asian descent — both hospitalised and expected to survive |
| Alleged shouted words | “Allahu akbar” (reported by witnesses) |
| Charges reported | Attempted murder and other charges; hate crime allegation applied to the Jewish victim |
As is standard, the suspect was due to appear before a judge for arraignment. When led from a police station on Friday, the man was reported to have made remarks referencing justice and indicated he would speak about the incidents; it was not clear whether he had instructed legal counsel.
Wider context
New York City has recorded a rise in the number of confirmed hate crimes in recent years, even as some categories of violent crime have fallen. Officials highlighted that a disproportionate share of this year’s confirmed hate crimes to date had targeted Jewish people, a point emphasised by police leadership earlier in the year. Community leaders and elected officials said the latest attacks underscored continuing concerns about public safety and the need for targeted prevention and support for affected communities.
Detectives continue to interview witnesses and to gather evidence as part of a criminal investigation that will determine the precise charges brought by prosecutors in court.
