In a shocking and terrifying incident on Wednesday, a man allegedly attempted to mow down Orthodox students and a rabbi outside a Brooklyn Jewish school. Witnesses reported that the assailant was yelling, “I’m gonna kill all the Jews,” during the attack, which has been described as a blatant act of antisemitism. The incident, which occurred at approximately 11:25 a.m., was captured on video by the Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol, revealing the disturbing actions of the driver.
The video footage shows the driver of a 2011 white Crown Victoria revving his engine before mounting the curb and swerving toward Orthodox Jews who were gathered outside a Yeshiva in Canarsie. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident left the community in shock and disbelief.
Police and sources have identified the alleged attacker as 58-year-old Asghar Ali, a Pakistani immigrant livery cab driver with a history of mental illness. Despite the harrowing nature of the attack, law enforcement officials do not believe it is terror-related and, at present, do not have evidence linking the perpetrator to radical groups.
The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force is spearheading the investigation into the incident, and detectives were reported to be interviewing the driver as part of their efforts. As a result of the attack, the man is facing a string of charges, including attempted murder, attempted assault, and hate crimes charges.
Rabbi Twersky, who works at the Yeshiva where the incident took place, provided an eyewitness account of the commotion. According to Rabbi Twersky, the driver initially attempted to strike one of the boys while he was on his phone at the corner of Glenwood Road and East 55th Street. The assailant then proceeded to drive up the wrong side of East 56th Street, directly towards a group of 30 to 40 students who were standing outside the school.
“I came in, and the boys were like, ‘Did you see the cameras? Did you see the cameras?’” Rabbi Twersky recalled, in an interview, expressing his concern for the students in the aftermath of the attack. Tire marks on the sidewalk near the Yeshiva further substantiate the frightening nature of the incident.
The perpetrator attempted to flee the scene initially but was quickly apprehended by members of the Shomrim Safety Patrol, who had mobilized to search for the attacker. The dramatic pursuit ultimately led to the assailant being located and apprehended after making a stop at a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts. Robert Moskovitz, executive coordinator of the patrol, emphasized the value of community vigilance and collaboration in swiftly bringing the situation under control.
“We were able to retrieve the video footage. We got the guy’s plate number,” said Moskovitz, highlighting the effective coordination between community members and law enforcement to apprehend the perpetrator. “This is not somebody that we want driving around the streets, especially with this anti-Semitic, anti-Jewish climate that’s out there. So we were glad to be able to put this to rest. The community was kind of uptight about this. Now everybody can be a little more relaxed.”
The driver was taken into custody and subsequently transferred to Coney Island Hospital, according to sources familiar with the situation. Described as an individual with a troubled history and multiple prior arrests, the assailant is originally from Pakistan and has been living in the United States for more than two decades. Reports indicate that he is considered an “emotionally disturbed” person, further underscoring the complexities surrounding the incident and the motivations of the perpetrator.
In response to the incident, the community and authorities have reiterated their commitment to maintaining the safety and security of all residents, especially in the face of such distressing and alarming acts of hate. The NYPD and local community members have vowed to remain vigilant and collaborate to ensure that such acts are swiftly addressed and the perpetrators are brought to justice.