A 52-year-old man has been charged with felony aggravated assault following an alleged attack on two Jewish students on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh. The incident, which took place on Friday evening, has prompted an investigation by the FBI into the possibility of a hate crime.
Details of the Incident
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the suspect, who is not affiliated with the university, was seen on surveillance footage sitting at a table across the street from the students. The two victims were walking near the university’s iconic Cathedral of Learning and wearing traditional Jewish yarmulkes when the suspect allegedly ran across the street and struck them from behind with a glass bottle.
The students were treated at the scene for injuries, with one sustaining cuts on his face and the other suffering cuts on his neck. Both were reportedly in stable condition.
Charges Filed
In addition to felony aggravated assault, the suspect faces charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, and harassment. The Post-Gazette reported that the suspect was wearing a kaffiyeh, a traditional Middle Eastern checkered scarf often associated with Palestinian solidarity.
Court documents do not list an attorney for the suspect, and efforts to reach him were unsuccessful as no contact number could be found.
University and FBI Response
The University of Pittsburgh has condemned the attack as an “appalling incident” and assured the campus community that there is no ongoing threat to public safety. The university has also provided counseling services to those affected.
“To be clear: Neither acts of violence nor antisemitism will be tolerated,” the university stated.
University leaders are in close contact with the Hillel Jewish University Center and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh to offer support and ensure the safety of Jewish students on campus.
The FBI’s Pittsburgh field office has dispatched agents to investigate the incident as a potential hate crime.
