KEY POINTS

  • Five were injured on the recent stabbing incident in a synagogue in Monsey
  • Two of the injured reportedly underwent surgery at a nearby hospital
  • The suspect was taken into custody who allegedly used a large machete and stabbed the victims

A suspect was arrested Sunday for allegedly stabbing and wounding five people at a synagogue in Rockland County, says New York Police Department. The suspect entered into Rabbi Rottenburg's Shul on Saturday and pulled out a machete, which he allegedly used to stab five people. Two were critically injured while three got minor injuries.

The suspect tried to escape but was later taken into custody. Initially, the motive was not clear, but one of the victims was stabbed at least six times, according to the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council (OJPAC). The recent attack happened following the increased New York Police's patrolling in Jewish districts after a flock of anti-Semitic threats and attacks.

Three victims were already released from the hospital while two are critically injured and has undergone surgery at a nearby hospital, according to the Head of the Chabad Jewish Center of Suffern Rabbi Shmuel Gancz. Two of the injured victims, who is now in stable condition, were Rabbi Rottenburg's young children, according to The Jerusalem Post, who was told by a witness close to the events.

Folding Knife
Folding Knife Matt Hatchett

An open letter by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo informed the community that:

"I am directing the State Police hate crimes task force to immediately investigate and to use every tool available to hold the attacker accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

"Let me be clear: antisemitism and bigotry of any kind are repugnant to our values of inclusion and diversity, and we have absolutely zero tolerance for such acts of hate," he continued. "You do not represent New York, and your actions will not go unpunished," added the governor in a final comment directed at the perpetrator."

The Guardian Angels, a private and unarmed crime-prevention group would begin patrolling the Brooklyn borough of New York City on Sunday, according to NBC News. The recent incident is the second stabbing attack in Monsey in the last couple of months. Last month, a father who was on his way to a synagogue was jumped at by a man and gouged his eye.

A spate of anti-Semitic crimes swept New York City in the past week.

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