College roommates of Khaled Awad, the man accused of stabbing Rabbi Shlomo Noginski eight times outside his Chabad House in Brighton Thursday, say he was “violent” and “very much anti-Semitic”.
By Anash.org reporter
College roommates of Khaled Awad, the man accused of stabbing Rabbi Shlomo Noginski eight times outside his Chabad House in Brighton Thursday, say he was “violent” and “very much anti-Semitic”.
Awad, 24, of Brighton was arrested Thursday, July 1. He was charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a police officer, police said.
Prosecutors said Awad has no record in Massachusetts, but has faced charges of battery and theft in Florida and was sent to a mental health facility there.
His former college roommates and friends at the University of Southern Florida, told CBS Boston, that Awad had showed a propensity for violence.
“He started becoming violent,” said Eric Valiente, a friend of Awad’s. “He was very much anti-Semitic. He would say like all types of Jewish jokes. I thought he was joking at first and then I started to see seriousness in his comments.”
His roommate Aidan says he and Awad were friends until Awad attacked him in their shared kitchen on day, prompting Aidan to move out and get a restraining order.
“We were friends, to be honest with you. I’m Jewish. And he knew that since I moved in,” said Aidan Anderson, the suspect’s former roommate.
Rabbi Noginski was discharged from the hospital early Friday morning and is continuing his recovery at home.
The Russian-born and father of 12 children, released a video statement Motzei Shabbos thanking people from around the world for the outpouring of support.
“I’m feeling relatively well, although still in pain,” Noginski said. “Yes I’m in pain, but it could have been so much worse. It is also especially important that the assailant encountered me, and I was therefore able to divert his attention from the school and the children.”
Noginski said he hopes to return to his duties as soon as possible, and offered a message of hope.
“One message I would like to share with you is that the way to respond to darkness and evil is by increasing in acts of goodness and kindness,” he said.
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