It happened this afternoon on the Upper West Side, starting near Central Park. Two different men were stabbed about four blocks apart by a suspect with a screwdriver. The suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks.
Police said the first victim, a 57-year-old man, was found at West 84th Street and Central Park West. He had been stabbed once in the back with a knife.
The second victim, a 50-year-old man, was found at West 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, police said, adding that victim had been stabbed in the chest with a screwdriver.
Both victims were taken to a local hospital and are expected to survive.
According to police, the suspect ran off after both stabbings. He eventually entered an apartment building on Amsterdam Avenue between 88th and 89th streets and barricaded himself inside an apartment, police said.
The NYPD Emergency Service Unit was called and negotiated with the suspect, police said. He was taken into custody at around 2:45 p.m. and was being questioned at a local police precinct.
Police also found his weapon, which he had ditched after the second attack.
Neither of the victims knew the attacker or each other. Their identities haven’t been released, but one is Asian and the other is Jewish. The police commissioner put out a statement identifying the attacker.
This afternoon, two people were stabbed in separate attacks on the Upper West Side. Both victims — an Asian male and a Jewish male — were removed to Mt. Sinai-St. Luke’s Hospital, and both are expected to survive.
The NYPD has arrested 51-year-old Raul Morales in connection…
— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) July 23, 2026
This afternoon, two people were stabbed in separate attacks on the Upper West Side. Both victims — an Asian male and a Jewish male — were removed to Mt. Sinai-St. Luke’s Hospital, and both are expected to survive.
The NYPD has arrested 51-year-old Raul Morales in connection with both assaults, and no other people are being sought. Detectives are continuing to work the case and determine motive, but according to victim and witness statements, Morales yelled “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks. The NYPD is currently evaluating whether this is a potential hate crime.
While the perpetrator has no known mental health history with the NYPD, the initial investigation suggests that mental health may have been a factor.
At this time there is no known link between Morales and either of the victims, nor between the victims and each other.
I want to commend the bravery of a good Samaritan who led our officers to the location where the perpetrator was hiding, as well as our NYPD cops who brought an end to the incident without further injuries.
So is this a mental issue or something else? To be blunt, some are noting that today is a Jewish holiday and that just a day ago Mamdani was putting out a statement about arresting Netanyahu. Has the intifada been globalized? Mamdani put out a statement also leaning toward a mental health explanation.
I have been briefed on today’s horrifying stabbings on the Upper West Side, where an Asian man and a Jewish man were attacked. According to witness and victim statements, the perpetrator yelled “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks. I am relieved that both victims are in stable… https://t.co/0LSGtvPojx
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) July 23, 2026
I have been briefed on today’s horrifying stabbings on the Upper West Side, where an Asian man and a Jewish man were attacked. According to witness and victim statements, the perpetrator yelled “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks. I am relieved that both victims are in stable condition.
The NYPD responded immediately and arrested Raul Morales in connection with both assaults—and I am grateful to the officers for their swift response.
The NYPD’s initial investigation suggests that mental health may have been a factor. They are also evaluating these stabbings as potential hate crimes.
These hateful and despicable attacks have no place in our city.
Maybe that’s correct but it does seem odd that this guy is 51 and has no mental health history. People don’t usually go from no issues to stabbing two people without some steps in between. CBS is reporting he’s been arrested seven times, so there is an arrest history at least. This guy definitely has a creepy look.
🇺🇸 This is Raul Morales, the 51-year-old suspect arrested after two separate stabbings on Manhattan’s Upper West Side this afternoon.
Witnesses say Morales yelled “Allahu Akbar” during both stabbings.
NYPD, considering one victim was Jewish and the other Asian, is investigating…
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 23, 2026
We’ll have to wait to get more information on this one. Hopefully by tomorrow we’ll know something that makes sense of this.
Editor’s Note: The American people overwhelmingly support President Trump’s law and order agenda.
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