A New Jersey man has been charged with multiple hate crimes after intentionally ramming his car into the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn, an incident that occurred on January 28, 2026, with no injuries reported. The event has sparked widespread condemnation and increased security measures amid concerns over rising antisemitism.
On the evening of January 28, 2026, a driver repeatedly crashed his vehicle into the rear entrance of the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The New York Police Department responded quickly, arresting the suspect at the scene. According to authorities, the building was evacuated as a precaution, but thankfully, no one was harmed during the alarming event. Video footage shows the car ramming the wooden doors multiple times, with bystanders screaming as the incident unfolded.
The suspect has been identified as Dan Sohail, a 36-year-old resident of Carteret, New Jersey. Police sources indicate that Sohail has no prior criminal history in New York City but has a documented history of mental health issues. In a prior incident in November 2025, he was encountered by police in South Brunswick, New Jersey, where he expressed a desire to convert to Judaism and was advised to seek mental health counseling. Family members detailed his struggles with depression, and he had attended events at the Chabad headquarters about 10 days before the ramming.
Sohail faces several charges, including attempted assault, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, and aggravated harassment, all classified as hate crimes. The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is leading the investigation. During his arrest, Sohail claimed that his foot slipped and he lost control due to wearing clunky boots, but video evidence and witness accounts suggest the ramming was intentional. The NYPD bomb squad swept the vehicle and found no explosive devices, confirming no additional threats.
The incident has prompted strong reactions from local and state officials. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described it as a “horrifying incident” and emphasized that antisemitism has no place in the city. Governor Kathy Hochul stated that an attack on the Jewish community is an attack on all New Yorkers, and her office is coordinating with the NYPD. Both U.S. Senators from New York, Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, condemned the act and called for increased efforts to combat antisemitism.
This event occurs amid a troubling rise in antisemitic incidents in New York and globally. In recent months, there have been other attacks targeting Jewish communities, including a stabbing in Crown Heights and vandalism with swastikas in Brooklyn. The Chabad headquarters, a central spiritual home for the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, holds significant historical and religious importance, making the attack particularly symbolic. The building was established in 1940 and is replicated worldwide, serving as a focal point for the faith.
In response, the NYPD has enhanced security measures around houses of worship across all five boroughs, deploying additional uniformed patrols and counterterrorism resources. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch assured the public that there are no specific or credible threats, but the increased presence is a precautionary step to ensure safety. The department is working with the FBI and New Jersey law enforcement as part of the ongoing investigation.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities collaborating to understand the motive fully. Sohail is being treated as an emotionally disturbed person, and his mental state is a factor in the case. The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation, highlighting the severity of the hate crime. Community leaders stress the need for holistic approaches to address extremism and build resilience against hate.
As the legal process unfolds, this incident underscores the persistent challenges faced by religious minorities and the importance of vigilance and unity in combating hate. It serves as a reminder that antisemitism remains a live issue, requiring concerted efforts from government, civil society, and communities to foster safety and inclusion for all New Yorkers.
