January 1, Suspect Yells ‘Allahu Akbar’ During Vicious NYC Stabbings – What Police Found Is Disturbing

Wyatt’s Take

• Two separate Manhattan stabbings Thursday left victims hospitalized after suspect allegedly yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ during brutal attacks — one victim Jewish, the other Asian.
• NYPD investigating potential hate crime angle while suggesting mental health issues may be involved, but witnesses describe calculated, cold-blooded violence in broad daylight.
• Eyewitnesses paint chilling picture of aftermath as political leaders issue statements while New Yorkers wonder if their streets will ever be safe again.

Witnesses are sharing disturbing details about a pair of violent stabbings on Manhattan’s Upper West Side Thursday that left two men hospitalized and a neighborhood on edge. The suspect, 51-year-old Raul Morales, allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” while carrying out the separate attacks, according to officials.

The NYPD is now investigating whether bias played a role in the attacks. One victim is Jewish, while the other is Asian, police confirmed.

Authorities say the stabbings appeared to be separate incidents that occurred near each other. There was no known connection between Morales and either victim, or between the two victims themselves, police said.

Both men were taken to a hospital in stable condition. Authorities are investigating whether a knife or screwdriver was used in the brutal assaults.

One witness described a scene straight out of a nightmare — seeing a knife sticking out of one of the victims following the stabbing.

“I just saw him sitting on his knees not moving at all, with this knife sticking out. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever seen. The men who worked in the building are amazing and they just ran to get help.”

Another woman, who said she was friends with one of the victims, said she was inside a synagogue when she heard someone had been stabbed. When she reached the scene, the victim was already being taken to the hospital.

Nava Silton recounted what direct eyewitnesses told her about the attack.

“I spoke to direct eyewitnesses who said that this man had yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ and had taken a screwdriver and stabbed him directly in the chest … then the guy walked away and kind of pretended he was not culpable and said ‘maybe someone should call 911, it looks like someone’s hurt on the street.'”

Silton said she later visited the victim in the hospital and described him as brave and courageous.

“It is incredibly scary and he’s just praying the condition doesn’t get worse. He had to pull the screwdriver out of his body.”

Initial NYPD findings suggest mental health may have been a factor, according to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

“While the perpetrator has no known mental health history with the NYPD, the initial investigation suggests that mental health may have been a factor.”

Officials across the state condemned the attacks, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul.

“These hateful and despicable attacks have no place in our city,” Mamdani said.

Hochul said she was “disgusted by what appears to be another senseless attack on New Yorkers simply because they’re Jewish.”

“Anyone who tries to tear that apart will be met with the full force of the law. New York will stand with our Jewish community today, tomorrow, and always.”

Wyatt Matters

Working families in Middle America watch these stories unfold and wonder when leaders will prioritize public safety over politically correct excuses. Mental health concerns don’t erase accountability — and communities deserve protection, not platitudes. When violent attacks targeting people based on who they are become routine, something is fundamentally broken in how we’re keeping our cities safe.