Posted on 01/28/26
| News Source: Collive
Crown Heights, NY - Jan. 28, 2026 - A vehicle rammed into one of the entrances of 770 Eastern Parkway, the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, on Wednesday evening, triggering a large emergency response.
NYPD, Shmira, and emergency crews arrived on scene as the building was evacuated and a crime scene established around 770. Video shared from the scene shows the driver repeatedly crashing into the shul’s double doors before being taken into custody by police. Authorities confirmed that there were no injuries.
Footage posted to social media also captured the moment of the suspect’s arrest. Crown Heights Shomrim reported that witnesses said the driver yelled for people to move as he drove into the building. Shomrim added that it is assisting the NYPD with the ongoing investigation.
Due to active police operations, the NYPD warned of road closures, traffic delays, and a heavy presence of emergency personnel near Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue. Drivers were advised to use alternate routes and allow extra travel time.
The identity of the driver has not yet been released.
The incident has renewed attention on past calls for enhanced security in front of the historic Chabad headquarters. In July 2018, Crown Heights activists urged New York City to create a permanent security or pedestrian plaza in front of 770 Eastern Parkway. New York City Public Spaces Director Emily Weidenhof visited the proposed site on July 31, 2018, but no permanent security plaza was ultimately implemented.
This incident comes one day after an attack on a rabbi in Queens while he was on his way to synagogue. Police arrested a 32-year-old suspect in that case, who allegedly made antisemitic remarks before assaulting the rabbi, causing him to fall. The suspect was charged with assault in the third degree, assault in the third degree as a hate crime, and aggravated harassment in the second degree. If convicted of the top charge, he faces up to 1⅓ to 4 years in prison.
New York has seen a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since October 7, 2023. NYPD data released ahead of the November mayoral election showed that Jews were victims in 62% of all reported hate crimes last month, with 29 antisemitic incidents out of a total of 47.
Related coverage includes recent arrests connected to antisemitic vandalism in Brooklyn, attacks on Jewish community members, and developments in New York City leadership.