The prime suspect in two brazen Upper West Side stabbings on Thursday afternoon has been charged with attempted murder and committing a hate crime in the process, police sources said Friday.
Raul Morales, 51, was booked Friday on two counts each of assault, attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon. One set of the three charges was elevated to hate crimes, as police believe the suspect deliberately targeted one of the victims because he was Jewish.
Cops said Morales went on the attack at about 1:30 p.m. on July 30, stabbing a 40-year-old Asian man walking near the corner of West 84th Street and Central Park West.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect approached the victim 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 screwdriver.
In both instances, sources close to the investigation said, the perpetrator allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar,” Arabic for, “God is great.”
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 and were listed serious but stable condition.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified Morales as the prime suspect 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, 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.”
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.
