Pakistani Immigrant Attempts to Run Over Students Outside Brooklyn Jewish School, Shouting Antisemitic Threats

A disturbing incident unfolded outside a Brooklyn Jewish school on Wednesday, May 29, when a man attempted to run over a rabbi and Orthodox students with his car. During the attack, he was heard shouting, “I’m gonna kill all the Jews.”

The suspect has been identified as 58-year-old Asghar Ali, a Pakistani immigrant and livery cab driver with a history of mental illness, according to police sources cited by the New York Post. The incident is currently under investigation by the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force.

Ali is now facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, attempted assault, and hate crimes charges. Despite the terrifying nature of the attack, authorities believe it was not terror-related, and there is no evidence linking him to any online radical group.

The attack occurred as Ali was driving a 2011 white Crown Victoria, attempting to turn onto East 55th Street near the Mesivta Nachlas Yakov School. After driving around the block, he drove back toward the school and targeted students dressed in Orthodox garb.

While Ali screamed threats and attempted to strike the victims, they managed to flee to safety inside the building. Among the targeted individuals were three 18-year-olds, a 41-year-old man, and a 44-year-old man, none of whom were injured.

Rabbi Twersky, who is associated with the Yeshiva, recounted the chaos that ensued after Ali tried to hit one of the boys at the corner of Glenwood Road and East 55th Street. Ali then drove up the wrong side of East 56th Street and attacked a group of 30 to 40 students.

Despite initially fleeing the scene, Ali was quickly located by members of the Shomrim Safety Patrol, who then alerted the NYPD. Bob Moskowitz, executive coordinator of the patrol, emphasized the importance of apprehending Ali, particularly given the current climate of antisemitism.

Ali, who has lived in the US for over two decades, was taken into custody and transferred to Coney Island Hospital. Law enforcement sources have described him as “emotionally disturbed.” He has a history of arrests, including one in 1998 for false personation and another for criminal impersonation.

Moskowitz expressed relief at Ali’s apprehension, stating, “This is not somebody that we want driving around the streets, especially with this antisemitic, anti-Jewish climate that’s out there.” He added, “Now everybody can be a little more relaxed.”