A suspect is in custody after two men were stabbed in Manhattan's Upper West Side on Thursday afternoon, according to the New York City Police Department (NYPD). City officials have described the incidents as potentially antisemitic, but police have not confirmed a motive or classified the attacks as hate crimes. The stabbings occurred near West 84th Street and Central Park West, an area with a significant Jewish community.
The first victim, a 57-year-old man, was attacked shortly after 1:30 p.m. and was found conscious with a stab wound to his back. He was taken to a local hospital in stable condition. Later, a 50-year-old man was discovered nearby with a stab wound to his torso; he was also conscious and taken to a hospital in stable condition.
Investigators are looking into whether the suspect used a knife or a screwdriver during the attacks. New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin expressed her concern about the incidents, stating that the fear in the Jewish community is real and emphasizing the need for unity against antisemitism. New York Assembly member Micah Lasher confirmed he is in contact with the NYPD and community leaders regarding the situation.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has not yet commented on the attacks, and his office, along with the FBI, did not respond to inquiries regarding the matter.