NEW YORK (VINnews) – A 23 year old man is in NYPD custody in connection with last night’s vicious attack on a 29 year old Jewish man in the Times Square area, with police actively seeking several more suspects.
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Police said that surveillance video and a canvas of the area led to the apprehension of the suspect, whose name is expected to be released later today when he is charged in the incident which took place at approximately 6:45 PM on Broadway between 48th and 49th streets.
The suspect is one of five or six men believed to be responsible for approaching the 29 year old, knocking him to the ground and then punching, kicking, pepper spraying and hitting him with crutches.
Both Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio were criticized for being slow to respond to the violence.
A statement released by the governor at 10:35 this morning, 15 hours after the attack and connected unrest in the Diamond District, said that he was directing the New York State Police’s Hate Crimes Task Force to assist in the investigation. Cuomo noted that New Yorkers of all faiths and backgrounds should be able to walk freely without fear of violence.
“I unequivocally condemn these brutal attacks on visibly Jewish New Yorkers,” said Cuomo, adding, “we will not tolerate anti-Semitic violent gang harassment and intimidation.”
A tweet by de Blasio read “There’s no excuse for violence against someone because of who they are. None. We will bring the perpetrators of this vicious act of hate to justice. If you have information about this incident, please contact @NYPDHateCrimes IMMEDIATELY.”
Speaking live on WNYC’s The Brian Lehrer show this morning, the mayor said that police presence had already been beefed up over the past two weeks in the city’s Jewish and Palestinian communities given the unrest in the Middle East, but reinforcements have been sent to key Jewish communal locations in the wake of last night’s violent attacks.
de Blasio also noted people were hurt when potent fireworks were thrown as a convoy descended on the heavily Jewish 47th Street Diamond District and said that multiple arrests have been made and more will be forthcoming. He called on New Yorkers to do their part to stop anti-Semitic attacks while warning of stiff penalties for those who perpetrate violence.
“Anyone who commits such an act is going to be arrested and prosecuted,” said the mayor. “This a city that has a very proud tradition of standing up against anti-Semitism in a world where anti-Semitic attacks have been increasing steadily for years. A lot of governments have been turning a blind eye – we will not turn a blind eye we are going to intervene very forcefully here.”
One in custody after a Jewish man was assaulted during yesterday's demonstration in Times Square.
Hate Crime Task force is investigating as a possible hate crime. pic.twitter.com/q86uQg21YY
— @SCOOTERCASTER (FNTV) (@ScooterCasterNY) May 21, 2021
In addition to dozens arrests, police say Hate Crime Task Force is investigating an assault of a Jewish man in Times Square during yesterday's demonstration (video of demonstration: https://t.co/aOdPjynjIX)
One person is now in custody in regard to this incident. pic.twitter.com/rb7wvYU818
— @SCOOTERCASTER (FNTV) (@ScooterCasterNY) May 21, 2021
ONE in Custody? One WHAT? one Palestinian Arab terrorist is what it should say.
They will check his phone and round up the rest.
thanks to Aguda Bill de blasio and andrew FJCC cuomo these Arab thugs cannot by law be put in jail and MUST be released immediately especially with Saudi and Soros funded lawyers.