A police car with lights flashing. (JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images)
Authorities have been weighing hate crime charges against a Muslim man who allegedly stabbed a rabbi outside a synagogue in Massachusetts. The Boston Police Department arrested 24-year-old suspect Khaled Awad on Thursday night after he reportedly tried to kidnap Rabbi Shlomo Noginski.
When the victim tried to run, the suspect stabbed him multiple times in the arm. Noginski was rushed to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and safely sent home later that evening.
“We can share light and dispel a tremendous amount of darkness. We seek to continue to convey that message, especially in a situation of darkness such as this, that for all those out there to go ahead and do acts of kindness,” Rabbi Ilan Meyers expressed. “…Just be kind to your neighbor and for the Jewish folk out there, be proud that you’re a Jew.”
Suspect Arrested in Connection to Brighton Stabbing https://t.co/B7GFIBYSCM
— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) July 2, 2021
The incident occurred outside of the Shaloh House, which was placed on lockdown once staff became aware of the situation. Staff members and children were inside the day school attending a summer camp program. Although there was no immediate danger to the group of individuals inside the building, many members of the community have expressed fear over the recent increase in local anti-Semitic threats and violence.
The suspect is expected to be charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon as well as assault of a police officer. Authorities are searching for an official motive, but say the attack may have been a hate crime as there was no effort to steal the victim’s money or cell phone.
Source: One America News Network
