Driver repeatedly rams vehicle into Brooklyn Chabad Lubavitch headquarters

Motive under investigation as police evacuate building and conduct search

Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:47pm

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A driver repeatedly rammed their vehicle into the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn on Wednesday night, causing the Jewish house of worship to be evacuated. Members of the Jewish community watched in horror as the operator of a vehicle with New Jersey license plates repeatedly rammed into the doorway of 770 Eastern Pkwy. in Crown Heights, sending the wooden front doors imploding inward. The driver was immediately taken into custody after telling a responding officer 'it slipped', referring to his vehicle.

Why it matters

The Chabad Lubavitch headquarters serves as the central hub of the worldwide Chabad Lubavitch Hasidic movement, housing its synagogue, offices, and study halls. As an iconic site in Judaism, the building has served as the spiritual and administrative center for thousands of Chabad institutions worldwide since 1940. This incident has raised concerns within the Jewish community about potential antisemitic motivations behind the attack.

The details

Police sources indicate the NYPD Emergency Service Unit responded to the scene, evacuated the building, and swept the vehicle for weapons. The NYPD Bomb Squad was also called in as a precaution, though the results of that search are not yet known. A perimeter has been set up around the Chabad Lubavitch headquarters as police conduct an investigation into the driver's motive.

  • The incident occurred at 8:46 p.m. on January 28, 2026.

The players

Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters

The central hub of the worldwide Chabad Lubavitch Hasidic movement, housing its synagogue, offices, and study halls. The building has served as the spiritual and administrative center for thousands of Chabad institutions worldwide since 1940.

NYPD

The New York Police Department responded to the scene, evacuated the building, and conducted a search of the vehicle and the area.

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What they’re saying

“'it slipped'”

— The driver

What’s next

Police are continuing their investigation into the driver's motive and any potential charges. The NYPD Bomb Squad's findings from the vehicle search are also still pending.

The takeaway

This incident has raised concerns within the Jewish community about potential antisemitic motivations behind the attack on a central hub of the Chabad Lubavitch Hasidic movement. The investigation will aim to determine the driver's intent and whether this was a targeted attack on a religious institution.