WARNING SIGNS IGNORED Before Synagogue Attack

A driver with a documented history of erratic behavior at Jewish sites repeatedly rammed his vehicle into one of the world’s most significant synagogues while worshippers gathered inside, raising urgent questions about how authorities handle mentally unstable individuals targeting houses of worship.

Story Snapshot

Driver crashed Honda sedan multiple times into Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn on January 28, 2026, during evening prayers
NYPD arrested the suspect immediately; Bomb Squad cleared the vehicle while investigating the incident as a possible hate crime
The same driver had a prior November 2025 encounter at a New Jersey Chabad house where he exhibited bizarre behavior and expressed interest in forced conversion
Family members report the suspect has a history of depression and mental illness, complicating the hate crime investigation
Authorities increased security at houses of worship citywide following the attack on the iconic spiritual center

Deliberate Attack on Jewish Spiritual Center

The suspect drove a Honda sedan with New Jersey plates into the rear entrance of 770 Eastern Parkway at approximately 8:46 p.m. on January 28, 2026. Witnesses reported the driver yelled for people to move before reversing and ramming the doors repeatedly. NYPD officers stationed nearby responded within minutes, ordering the driver from the vehicle and arresting him at the scene. The building was immediately evacuated as a precaution while the Bomb Squad swept the vehicle, which was cleared of explosives. No injuries occurred during the incident.

Prior Warning Signs Ignored

The driver had previously encountered law enforcement at a South Brunswick, New Jersey Chabad house in November 2025. During that incident, he acted strangely, claimed homelessness, and expressed a desire to convert to Judaism through what appeared to be forced entry. Rather than arresting him, authorities referred him to counseling services. This earlier encounter raises serious concerns about how the system handles individuals displaying obsessive behavior toward religious institutions, particularly when mental health issues are evident. The failure to take stronger action after the first incident allowed this individual to escalate to a violent attack on an even more significant Jewish site.

Hate Crime Investigation Complicated by Mental Health History

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed the Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident, though the suspect’s motivation remains unclear. Family members have indicated he suffers from depression and mental illness, suggesting his actions may stem from delusional thinking about religious conversion rather than straightforward antisemitism. This distinction matters because it highlights a dangerous gap in how authorities address threats from mentally unstable individuals fixated on religious communities. The attack occurred on the 75th anniversary of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson’s leadership of the Chabad movement, though whether the driver knew this significance is unknown.

Political Response and Community Impact

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the ramming “intentional” and “deeply alarming,” describing antisemitism as a “living thing” that requires constant vigilance. Senator Charles Schumer condemned what he termed an “antisemitic attack” and called for confronting rising hatred. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez pledged his office would pursue justice while coordinating with the NYPD. These statements reflect the political convenience of framing the incident as hate-driven, even as evidence suggests a more complex situation involving untreated mental illness and inadequate intervention after prior warning signs. The Chabad community, through liaison Yaacov Behrman, confirmed the attack was intentional and shared surveillance footage publicly.

The 770 Eastern Parkway headquarters serves as the global spiritual center for the Chabad Lubavitch movement, attracting thousands of visitors annually and inspiring replica buildings worldwide. The Gothic Revival complex in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, holds deep significance for the Jewish community, making it a symbolic target whether the driver understood that or was simply fixated on Chabad locations generally. NYPD increased security at houses of worship across the city following the attack, though this reactive approach does little to address the underlying problem of identifying and intervening with troubled individuals before they act violently. The suspect remains in custody with no charges officially filed as of January 29, 2026.