A young rabbinic student in “kvutza” studies, (a special rabbinic program) and an Israeli from Beitar Illit in Gush Etzion, was stabbed early Tuesday morning in Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway and is currently listed in stable condition with wounds to the chest, abdomen, head and neck, according to sources in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn.
The 51-year-old attacker died in a hospital from a single bullet fired by a police officer. He was identified as Calvin Peters.
The incident, which took place at 1:40 am, was not terrorist event, but Peters was quoted by the Daily News as saying, “I will kill the Jew! I want to kill the Jew!”
He was a member of Brooklyn’s African-American community and entered the sanctuary in the downstairs section of the synagogue. Peters confronted a group of young men, waving around a switchblade knife in an agitated manner, according to a report posted on the CrownHeights.info website.
An eyewitness said the suspect immediately attacked one of the young Jews, stabbing him in the neck. The victim fled the synagogue, bleeding profusely, witnesses said, together with fellow congregants who called out for police and Hatzoloh emergency service medics. The attack was also caught on security cameras being monitored by nearby police and security personnel, who arrived immediately.
Both are stationed next door to the synagogue; police ordered the stabber to drop his weapon – which he did – but seconds later he retrieved the knife and began threatening police officers as well when they approached to take him into custody.
When the suspect attempted to attack the officers, police reportedly fired one shot and hit the suspect in the torso.
Meanwhile, the stabbed victim was being treated outside the synagogue. As soon as the suspect was disarmed, New York City emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and medics from Hatzoloh entered the building to provide him with first aid before police took him into custody and brought him to the hospital, where he later died.
The police officer with whom the suspect was struggling was transported to Methodist Hospital for medical care as well.
The public is asked to please pray for the complete recovery of Levi Yitzchok ben Raizel, the young rabbinic student now in stable condition but still in need of prayers at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn.