New York City police are investigating a pair of stabbings near Central Park as possible hate crimes after a suspect allegedly attacked two men of different backgrounds on Manhattan's Upper West Side on Wednesday.
Raul Morales, 51, stabbed a 57-year-old Asian man in the back with a knife and a 50-year-old Jewish man in the torso with a screwdriver, authorities said. The attacks occurred around 1:31 p.m., roughly two blocks apart along Central Park West at 84th and 86th Streets. Morales allegedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" before the assaults. Both victims were taken to Mount Sinai hospital in stable condition and are expected to survive.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said mental health may have been a factor, though Morales had no known mental health history with police. Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the attacks and said the NYPD is evaluating them as potential hate crimes. Morales was arrested after walking back to his apartment.