Incident Occurs in Crown Heights Amid Rising Tensions
A New York City man has been arrested and charged with a hate crime after allegedly shouting “Free Palestine” and stabbing a Jewish man near a synagogue in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Saturday near the headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.
The Attack and Arrest
Police say the suspect, 22-year-old Vincent Sumpter of Brooklyn, was involved in a verbal dispute with the 33-year-old victim before the stabbing. According to authorities, the victim asked Sumpter why he kept repeating the phrase “Free Palestine.” Sumpter allegedly responded by asking, “Do you want to die?” before stabbing the victim in the abdomen.
The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed by police, was quickly transported to the hospital and is currently in stable condition. Local residents pursued Sumpter after the attack and detained him until police arrived at the scene.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Sumpter was arraigned on Sunday, pleading not guilty to charges including second-degree assault as a hate crime. He remains in custody with bail set at $100,000 cash or $250,000 bond. The Legal Aid Society, which is representing Sumpter, has declined to comment on the case.
Community Reactions
Mark Treyger, Chief Executive of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, condemned the attack, stating, “This is a dangerous escalation of the current climate we are in and it should outrage every New Yorker because it is an attack on every New Yorker.” Treyger’s comments come amid a series of recent antisemitic incidents in the city.
