Raul Morales is in custody after stabbing a Jewish man and an Asian man on Manhattan’s Upper West Side

Raul Morales, 51, was arrested Thursday after stabbing two men in separate, unprovoked attacks on New York City's Upper West Side. The victims, identified as Moshe Yezhak Grunhaus and Chok Sung, were stabbed approximately two blocks apart near Central Park West. Both men were transported to Mount Sinai Morningside in stable condition. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch reported that Morales shouted “Allahu Akbar” during both incidents. While the police are currently evaluating whether the stabbings constitute hate crimes, the initial investigation suggests that mental health may have been a factor. There was no known prior connection between Morales and either victim. The attacks occurred on Tisha B’Av, a Jewish day of mourning. Jewish leaders and local officials have expressed concern over the incidents, with some linking the violence to the recent anti-Zionist rhetoric of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James both condemned the stabbings, emphasizing the importance of safety for the city's diverse religious and cultural communities.

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