Unhinged Attack at NYC Synagogue as Driver Repeatedly Slams Car Into Doors Before Crowd and Police Intervene
NEW YORK CITY — A disturbing scene unfolded outside a prominent synagogue in New York after a driver was caught on camera repeatedly ramming his car into the building, sending shockwaves through witnesses and sparking outrage online.
The incident took place at the Chabad Lubavitch world headquarters, where video footage shows a car accelerating into the synagogue’s front doors, reversing, and then smashing into the entrance again — over and over — as stunned onlookers watched and shouted in disbelief.
Video Shows Car Slamming Doors Until They Collapse
In the widely shared footage, the vehicle can be seen striking the synagogue’s doors with enough force that one of the doors eventually falls completely to the ground. Each time, the driver reverses deliberately and charges forward again.
People nearby can be heard yelling in the background as the scene escalates. Despite the violent nature of the attack, no injuries were reported, according to witnesses.
At one point, after yet another impact, a member of the crowd cautiously approached the vehicle. Following the final crash, the driver exited the car as multiple bystanders surrounded him, demanding answers.
Car ramming today at synagogue in Crown Heights
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Driver Gives Bizarre Excuses Before Arrest
When confronted, the driver appeared calm and offered vague explanations, repeatedly saying “I don’t know” and at one point claiming the car had “slipped” — a claim witnesses immediately dismissed, given the clear pattern of reversing and accelerating visible on video.
Moments later, New York police officers arrived at the scene, and members of the crowd pointed out the driver. Officers quickly detained and arrested him as bystanders shouted in anger. One person can be heard simply asking the man, “Why?” — a question that went unanswered.
City Leaders Condemn Apparent Hate Crime
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani responded swiftly, condemning the attack and emphasizing that violence against religious communities will not be tolerated.
“Antisemitism has no place in our city, and violence or intimidation against Jewish New Yorkers is unacceptable,” the mayor said, according to the BBC.
Authorities have not yet released full details about the suspect or announced formal charges, but the investigation remains ongoing.
Public Reaction: ‘This Is Completely Unhinged’
Online reaction to the footage was immediate and intense. Many viewers expressed fear, anger, and disbelief at what they were watching.
“This is unhinged. What the hell did I just watch?” one commenter wrote.
“Very strange behavior — the outfit, the excuses, everything,” another added.
“Even his face at the end was unsettlingly calm,” someone else noted.
Others pointed out how implausible the driver’s explanation was.
“He tried to say the car slipped while clearly reversing and accelerating,” one Reddit user said. Another replied, “Does he not realize everyone can see the lack of reverse lights?”
One commenter even claimed to recognize the man from a subway encounter the night before, alleging he had been shouting about Jesus and expressing hatred toward minorities — though this claim has not been independently verified.
A Chilling Reminder of Rising Tensions
While no one was physically harmed, the attack has left many shaken — particularly amid ongoing concerns about rising antisemitism and targeted acts of intimidation in major cities.
For many New Yorkers, the video represents more than vandalism — it’s a reminder of how quickly hate-driven actions can escalate into real danger.
What are your thoughts on this shocking incident — and what should be done to prevent attacks on places of worship? Share your perspective and stay with CabarrusWeekly.com for continued coverage on stories impacting communities across the country.
