Additional information has emerged following the disturbing vehicular attack on 770 Eastern Parkway late Wednesday night, when a man repeatedly rammed his car into the rear doors of Chabad World Headquarters.

The suspect has been identified as Dan Sohail, 36, of Carteret, New Jersey. According to journalist Laura Loomer, Sohail is Muslim, with the surname Sohail originating from an Arabic personal name common in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Eyewitnesses say the man was seen lurking around 770 earlier that day at approximately 4:00 PM. Bochurim also reported that about two weeks earlier, Sohail had been filmed dancing inside 770 wearing the same clothes. At the time, he reportedly claimed he was Jewish and even put on tefillin with students learning there.

Witnesses told the New York Post that Sohail had approached multiple Chabad houses in New Jersey over recent months seeking guidance, often giving inconsistent accounts of his connection to Yiddishkeit.

Rabbi Levi Azimov of Chabad of South Brunswick, NJ, told The Forward that Sohail attended a Purim event there last year and returned twice afterward seeking spiritual guidance.

“I spoke with him briefly and could tell he was not exactly stable,” Rabbi Azimov said.

The incident immediately drew widespread local and national media attention, with many noting both the significance of the location, 770, and the significance of the day – Yud Shevat – the yartzeit of the Frierdiker Rebbe and the day marking the beggining of the nesius of the Rebbe.

Lubavitch activist Motti Seligson told Fox News that Chabad received an outpouring of support from elected officials following the attack, including a personal call from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. He also praised NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and New York Attorney General Letitia James for coming to the scene shortly after the incident.

Seligson later wrote on X:

“This individual, according to reports, attempted to enter various Jewish institutions in New Jersey, including Chabad, but was rebuffed, and in at least one incident police were called.”

Mayor Mamdani wrote:

“This is deeply alarming, especially given the deep meaning and history of the institution to so many in New York and around the world. Any threat to a Jewish institution or place of worship must be taken seriously. Antisemitism has no place in our city, and violence or intimidation against Jewish New Yorkers is unacceptable.”

At an impromptu press conference several hours later, alongside Commissioner Tisch and Attorney General James, the mayor added:

“And on today of all days, the yartzeit of Rabbi Schneerson and the leadership of [Rabbi] Menachem Mendel Schneerson, any threat to a Jewish institution or place of worship must be taken seriously.”

Governor Kathy Hochul also suggested the incident was antisemitic, linking it to another recent attack on a rabbi in New York City:

“For the second day in a row, Jewish New Yorkers were the targets of antisemitic violence. Thankfully, there appear to be no injuries, but an attack against the Jewish community is an attack against all New Yorkers.”

The ADL of New York and New Jersey said it was “deeply disturbed,” noting that 770 is not only a synagogue but the global headquarters of Chabad and a beloved symbol of Judaism worldwide.

Ambassador Mike Huckabee issued a statement:

“I unequivocally condemn the reprehensible car-ramming attack targeting Chabad World HQ. Chabad is a pillar of Jewish community in America. The poisonous hatred of antisemitism is pure evil.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who represents Brooklyn, said:

“I am thankful that no one was injured, but deeply disturbed that another violent antisemitic incident has been directed against the Jewish community in my hometown. The perpetrator must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Antisemitism has no place in our nation.”

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez called the attack “disturbing and unacceptable,” adding that his office is working closely with the NYPD.

Community activist Yaacov Behrman told CNN:

“Today is a significant day on the Chabad calendar, with thousands of young rabbinical students in the neighborhood. We believe it was not a coincidence that he chose today.”

According to bystanders, the suspect removed two metal bollards blocking vehicle access to the driveway before ramming into the building.

Bochurim who interacted with him about an hour earlier said he asked when the farbrengen would take place. They told him it was mainly that night.

One eyewitness said that just minutes before the ramming, the ramp outside 770 had been packed with bochurim exiting the ‘hour with the Rebbe’ event that had just concluded. “It’s nothing less than a miracle that no one got hurt.”

Other eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud noise inside 770.

After police feared a possible explosive device in the vehicle, 770 and the surrounding area were immediately evacuated. The official farbrengen was rescheduled for Thursday night at 9:30 PM , as thousands of bochurim, guests, and locals regrouped at Oholei Torah, the Kollel on Union, and other locations, where farbrengens continued through the night.

At 5:45 AM, police gave the all-clear. Bochurim reentered 770 singing and dancing, with many immediately resuming farbrengens.

The rear doors, installed just five months ago and donated by Reb Yerachmiel Jacobson, were temporarily replaced. New fortified doors are expected to be installed. The suspect’s vehicle was also removed by police.

Additional security measures were visible Thursday morning as media crews lined Eastern Parkway.

While some believe the suspect may be mentally unstable, authorities are continuing to investigate the incident as a possible hate crime. Attorney General Letitia James confirmed her office is working with NYPD on the investigation.

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