New Jersey Man Charged with Hate Crime After Crashing Car into Chabad Center in Brooklyn

No injuries reported as suspect allegedly attacked Jewish institution multiple times

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:23pm

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A 36-year-old New Jersey man named Dan Sohail is facing attempted assault as a hate crime and other charges after police say he repeatedly drove his car into the back of the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood on Wednesday evening. Video showed Sohail get out of his car and make anti-Semitic remarks to the crowd after the incident, which occurred during a Chabad holiday when thousands were gathered at the headquarters.

Why it matters

The attack on the Chabad center, a prominent Jewish institution, is being investigated as a hate crime, highlighting ongoing concerns about anti-Semitism and the targeting of religious and cultural sites in New York City and across the country.

The details

Police were already assigned to a detail at the Chabad center when they heard a commotion and saw Sohail's Honda Accord strike the rear door, reverse, and then strike the door again. Sohail got out of the car and made anti-Semitic remarks to the crowd before being arrested by police. No explosives or other devices were found in Sohail's car, and no one was injured, though the building was evacuated as a precaution.

  • The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, January 29, 2026.

The players

Dan Sohail

A 36-year-old New Jersey man who is facing attempted assault as a hate crime and other charges for allegedly crashing his car into the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn.

Jessica Tisch

The New York City Police Commissioner.

Joseph Kenny

The NYPD Chief of Detectives.

Letitia James

The New York Attorney General.

Zohran Mamdani

The New York City Mayor.

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What they’re saying

“The hate crime right now is that he basically attacked a Jewish institution. He knew it was a synagogue.”

— Joseph Kenny, NYPD Chief of Detectives

“Antisemitism has no place in our society.”

— Zohran Mamdani, New York City Mayor

What’s next

Prosecutors will determine whether to pursue hate crime charges against Dan Sohail, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The takeaway

This attack on a prominent Jewish institution highlights the continued threat of anti-Semitism and the need for vigilance in protecting religious and cultural sites from hate-motivated violence.