Two men were stabbed on the Upper West Side Thursday afternoon, sources close to the investigation said, and a suspect is now in custody.
According to law enforcement sources, a 40-year-old Asian man was walking on the sidewalk on West 84th Street and Central Park West at around 1:30 p.m. on July 23, when the suspect approached him from behind and stabbed him in the back with a knife.
Moments later and two blocks away on West 86th Street, a 50-year-old Jewish man was stabbed in the chest by the same suspect, authorities said. This time, the suspect’s weapon of choice was a screw driver.
In both instances, sources close to the investigation said, the perpetrator allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar,” Arabic for, “God is great.”
Police are determining if the incidents will be investigated as hate crimes.
NYPD Emergency Service Unit officers located the suspected individual, a man in his 50s, inside a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) apartment building located at 587 Amsterdam Ave., and took him into custody. The suspect was brought out of the building in handcuffs and remains in police custody.
Both victims were taken to Mt. Sinai-St. Luke’s Hospital were there are in serious but stable condition.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the suspect Thursday evening on X (formerly Twitter) as 51-year-old Raul Morales in connection with both assaults, adding that no other people are being sought.
“Detectives are continuing to work the case and determine motive, but according to victim and witness statements, Morales yelled “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks,” the commissioner said. “The NYPD is currently evaluating whether this is a potential hate crime.”
While the perpetrator has no known mental health history with the NYPD, the initial investigation suggested that mental health may have been a factor, the commissioner went on to say.
“At this time there is no known link between Morales and either of the victims, nor between the victims and each other,” Tisch added.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was briefed on the situation, took to X to condemn the attacks.
“According to witness and victim statements, the perpetrator yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ during both attacks. I am relieved that both victims are in stable condition. The NYPD responded immediately and arrested Raul Morales in connection with both assaults—and I am grateful to the officers for their swift response,” the mayor posted. “These hateful and despicable attacks have no place in our city.”
Marianna Ellenberg was in an Uber when she saw the first stabbing victim on 86th Street.
“I looked out the cab, and he was standing there still like a statue with the blade sticking out of his back. He was just not moving,” Ellenberg said. “His wife was there and the workers at the building ran to get help and was trying to comfort her.”
Tisch thanked a witness for helping police locate the suspect.
“I want to commend the bravery of a good Samaritan who led our officers to the location where the perpetrator was hiding, as well as our NYPD cops who brought an end to the incident without further injuries,” she said.
The investigation remains ongoing. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
