A Jewish man was attacked on his way to shul in Williamsburg on Shabbos morning, in what police are investigating as a possible hate crime.
The attack happened around 8:40 a.m. near Bedford Avenue and Heyward Street, as the man was walking to a Shabbos sheva brachos. According to community reports, he was the father of the groom and was on his way to bring the chassan to davening.
Surveillance footage shows a man passing him and spilling a substance on him, sparking a confrontation in which the suspect began assaulting him. The victim fought back, and with help from other men in the area, they wrestled the attacker to the ground and held him there. One bystander ran to the Shomrim post on Bedford Avenue for help.
Shomrim volunteers arrived quickly and helped detain the suspect until officers from the NYPD’s 90th Precinct took him into custody. Police have not released his name or said what charges he faces.
Hatzolah members treated the victim at the scene. According to community reports, he was taken to Bellevue Hospital with minor injuries.
The NYPD is investigating whether the attack was a hate crime.
