CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn (WABC) — A driver is in custody after a car repeatedly slammed into Chabad World Headquarters in Brooklyn on Wednesday, and the NYPD is now investigating it as a possible hate crime.
NYPD officials say officers assigned to a detail in front of the building at 770 Eastern Parkway heard a commotion around 8:45 p.m., and saw a grey Honda with New Jersey plates strike the rear door, reverse and strike the rear door again.
Officers ordered the driver out the vehicle and placed him under arrest. The driver has not been charged so far, however, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the incident is being investigated by the Hate Crimes Task Force as a hate crime.
The bomb squad unit responded to the scene. They cleared the car and no explosives were found.
No injuries were reported.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani reacted to the incident Wednesday night.
“This is deeply alarming, especially given the deep meaning and history of the institution,” he said. “Any threat to a Jewish institution must be taken seriously. Antisemitism has no place in our city. I stand in solidarity with the Crown Heights Jewish community.”
The Anti-Defamation League of New York / New Jersey (ADL NYNJ) released a statement in response following the crash.
“We are deeply disturbed by reports of an incident that occurred tonight in Brooklyn. Just minutes ago, a car repeatedly rammed into 770 Eastern Parkway,” the organization said in the statement. “This building is not only a synagogue, but alsothe worldwide @ChabadHeadquarters and a beloved symbol of Judaism around the world. @ADLis in touch with law enforcement and local partners on the ground. We are grateful to @NYPDNewsfor making a swift arrest and will update as we learn more.”
The circumstances surrounding how and why the crash happened is under investigation.
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