Car Repeatedly Rams Chabad World Headquarters in Possible Hate Crime

No injuries reported as NYPD investigates incident at sacred Jewish site in Brooklyn

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:59am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged car door handle, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a stark, gritty, and investigative aesthetic.A chilling aftermath: The damaged car door of the vehicle that repeatedly rammed the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters, raising concerns of a potential hate crime.Brooklyn Today

A car repeatedly struck the rear door of the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, in what authorities are investigating as a potential hate crime. The incident, captured on video, occurred on the evening of January 28, 2026, during a significant Chabad holiday when thousands of worshippers were present at the sacred site. The driver was taken into custody, and the Bomb Squad conducted a search of the vehicle, but no injuries were reported. The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is leading the investigation.

Why it matters

The Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters is a global symbol of Judaism, and this incident has sent shockwaves through the local and wider Jewish community. Authorities are treating this as a potential hate crime, raising concerns about the rise of antisemitism and the need to protect religious institutions and their congregants.

The details

The video footage shows the car striking the rear door of the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters, reversing, and then striking again, in what appears to be a deliberate attack. The NYPD officers already stationed at the location rushed to the scene and took the driver into custody. The Bomb Squad conducted a thorough search of the vehicle to ensure the area's safety.

  • The incident occurred on the evening of January 28, 2026.
  • The attack took place during a significant Chabad holiday, when thousands of worshippers were present at the sacred site.

The players

Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters

A sacred site for the Jewish community and a global symbol of Judaism.

New York Police Department (NYPD)

The law enforcement agency investigating the incident and leading the Hate Crimes Task Force inquiry.

Zohran Mamdani

The Mayor of New York City, who strongly condemned the act and emphasized that antisemitism has no place in society.

Anti-Defamation League

An organization that issued a statement highlighting the building's significance as a global symbol of Judaism.

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What they’re saying

“Antisemitism has no place in society.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

“The Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters is a global symbol of Judaism.”

— Anti-Defamation League

What’s next

The investigation by the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the driver's intentions and whether this was a targeted attack or a random act of violence.

The takeaway

This incident has raised serious concerns about the rise of antisemitism and the need to protect religious institutions and their congregants. The community is shaken, and the investigation will be closely watched as it may spark intense debates about hate crimes and their impact on religious communities.