BROOKLYN, NY — A high-profile celebration at the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters in Crown Heights turned to chaos Wednesday night, January 28, 2026, when a driver repeatedly rammed a sedan into the iconic building’s entrance.
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Security footage captured the vehicle accelerating and reversing into the basement-level wooden doors at least four times, eventually knocking them off their hinges and damaging the surrounding frame.
Casualties and Response
- Injuries: Despite the crowd inside, no injuries were reported. The specific area directly behind the doors was unoccupied at the moment of impact.
- Apprehension: NYPD officers stationed nearby immediately intercepted the driver. The suspect, a man in his late 20s, was taken into custody without further incident.
- Security Sweep: The NYPD Bomb Squad was deployed to inspect the vehicle; no explosives were found, and the scene was cleared late Wednesday night.
Investigation and Motive
The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force has taken the lead on the case. While the suspect allegedly claimed the incident was an accident, officials are treating it as a targeted attack.
Preliminary Findings: Reports suggest the suspect may have been acting on a personal grievance. He was allegedly turned away from a New Jersey synagogue earlier in the week following erratic behavior during an attempt to convert to Judaism.
Official Statements
City and state leaders have condemned the attack in the strongest terms:
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani characterized the act as a deliberate attempt to terrorize the Jewish community.
- Governor Kathy Hochul denounced the “cowardly act of antisemitic violence” and confirmed that state resources are being deployed to support the investigation.
Current Status: The suspect remains in custody pending formal charges. Security has been significantly bolstered at religious sites throughout New York City.
