Raul Morales charged with hate crimes in two Upper West Side stabbings
Prosecutors say Raul Morales attacked a Jewish man and an Asian man in Manhattan; both victims were stable and expected to survive.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
3 min read
Raul Morales hate crimes charges were filed Friday after two men were stabbed on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, a case officials said involved attacks on a Jewish victim and an Asian victim. Prosecutors charged Morales, 51, with attempted murder and assault as hate crimes tied to both men.
Police said the stabbings took place Thursday afternoon about two blocks apart. Both victims were taken to a hospital, and state Attorney General Letitia James said Friday morning that they were in stable condition and expected to live.
According to police accounts based on witness statements, Morales allegedly shouted the Arabic phrase “Allahu akbar” during the attacks. Police first arrested him Friday on hate crime allegations involving the Jewish victim, and prosecutors later brought charges connected to both victims at his arraignment.
What charges does Raul Morales face?
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said Morales was charged with attempted murder and assault as hate crimes in connection with both stabbings. Prosecutors said the charges, if imposed consecutively, carry a combined total of 40 years in prison.
Morales’ next court appearance is scheduled for July 30, prosecutors said. His court-appointed lawyer did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment late Friday.
As officers led Morales out of a police station Friday evening, he shouted about seeking justice for someone. Asked by reporters about the stabbings, he said he was “gonna talk about it” before he was placed in a police car.
What did prosecutors say happened on the Upper West Side?
Prosecutors said Morales first came up behind the Asian man and stabbed him with a knife “without provocation.” They said he then walked four blocks and stabbed the Jewish man, who was wearing a kippah, with a screwdriver.
A witness followed Morales after he fled to the apartment where he had been staying, according to prosecutors. Rabbi Yosie Levine said the Jewish victim had just left the Jewish Center, a nearby synagogue, when he was attacked.
“He was just trying to pray at his synagogue, and now we’re the ones praying for his recovery,” Levine said.
How have city leaders and advocates responded?
The Asian American Foundation, a New York-based advocacy organization, said the attacks showed the continuing safety problems Asian Americans face in the city, including harassment and physical violence. The group called for “continued, meaningful investment in community safety and hate prevention that protects everyone.”
Officials also pointed to broader hate crime concerns in New York City. Police data show hate crimes have increased in recent years even as overall violent crime has fallen, and officials said in April that more than half of confirmed hate crimes in the city so far this year targeted Jewish people.
City Comptroller Mark Levine said at Friday’s news conference that Jewish New Yorkers were being disproportionately targeted and addressed Asian Americans as well, saying, “We stand in outrage with you.” James and Levine are Democrats.
This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.