Car Rams Chabad World Headquarters in Brooklyn

A man repeatedly rammed a car into the rear entrance of the Chabad-Lubavitch world headquarters in Brooklyn on Wednesday night, striking the building’s doors via a sloped driveway before being taken into police custody. No injuries were reported.

The New York Police Department said officers responded at approximately 8:45 p.m. to a 911 call at 770 Eastern Parkway in the Crown Heights neighborhood. The building, widely known as “770,” serves as the global hub of the Chabad movement and houses one of the most significant and iconic synagogues in the Jewish world.

Video footage circulated online showed a gray Honda sedan driving down a sloped entrance and striking the rear doors of the building. The driver appeared to reverse and ram the doors repeatedly. At least one door and part of the doorway were damaged, though the vehicle did not breach the synagogue and there were no initial reports of structural damage. The driver exited the vehicle moments later and was arrested by police without further incident.

According to the NYPD, officers assigned to a security detail outside the headquarters heard a commotion and observed the vehicle strike the rear doors, reverse, and strike them again. The driver was taken into custody, the building was evacuated as a precaution, and the NYPD Bomb Squad swept the vehicle and found no explosive devices. The investigation is ongoing, charges are pending, and the suspect has not yet been identified. The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is involved in the probe.

Chabad spokesman Yaacov Behrman said that based on video footage and witness accounts, the ramming appeared intentional, and he urged the public to stay away from the area while police worked the scene.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he went to the site of the incident. “I am relieved that no one was injured in this horrifying incident,” Mamdani said. “This is deeply alarming, especially given the deep meaning and history of the institution to so many in New York and around the world.” He added that “any threat to a Jewish institution or place of worship must be taken seriously” and said that “antisemitism has no place in our city, and violence or intimidation against Jewish New Yorkers is unacceptable.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the incident marked the second consecutive day in which Jewish New Yorkers were targeted. “For the second day in a row, Jewish New Yorkers were the targets of antisemitic violence,” Hochul said. “An attack against the Jewish community is an attack against all New Yorkers.” 

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine called the ramming “a frightening incident at one of our city’s most iconic Jewish institutions.” He noted that it occurred on Yud Shvat, “when large numbers are gathering in the neighborhood,” and said he was “incredibly grateful no one was injured, and that NYPD quickly detained the suspect.”

National and local political figures also condemned the attack. Rep. Elise Stefanik called it “another horrific antisemitic attack in New York City” and said it reflected “a deeply disturbing and dangerous trend of skyrocketing antisemitism.” The Republican Jewish Coalition described the incident as “vile antisemitic violence” and said, “Thank God nobody was hurt.” City Council Speaker Julie Menin said the incident was “horrifying,” adding, “We spoke to Chabad representatives to offer our support, and we are in touch with the NYPD. We are closely monitoring this deeply concerning situation.”

As a precaution, the NYPD said it will increase security around houses of worship across all five boroughs while investigators continue to determine the motive behind the attack.

The incident took place during Yud Shvat, one of the most important dates on the Chabad calendar, when tens of thousands of Jews gather to mark the anniversary of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson assuming leadership of the movement in 1951.