An Orthodox Jewish man was attacked Saturday morning while walking to synagogue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in an incident New York police are investigating as a possible hate crime. Officers responding to the scene arrested a suspect.
The confrontation occurred around 8:40 a.m. near Heyward Street and Bedford Avenue, according to Williamsburg News. Surveillance footage shows the suspect crossing the street before spilling an unknown substance on the Jewish man, leading to a confrontation between the two.
The victim appeared to defend himself and struggled with the alleged attacker, with both men eventually wrestling on the roadway. Several other men arrived shortly afterward and separated them.
Volunteers from Williamsburg Shomrim, a Jewish community security organization, and officers from the NYPD’s 90th Precinct responded to the scene and detained the suspect.
The attack on a Williamsburg street
(Photo: social media)
Hatzalah emergency medical volunteers also arrived and treated the victim. His condition was not officially disclosed, though local reports indicated that his injuries appeared to be minor.
The NYPD is investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. Authorities have not released the suspect’s identity or provided additional information about the circumstances surrounding the attack.