A taxi driver attempted to mow down a group of students and a rabbi outside a Jewish school in Brooklyn in an alleged attempt to “kill all the Jews.”
Asghar Ali, 58, a Pakistani immigrant with a history of mental illness, faces dozens of charges, including attempted murder, following the attack outside the school in Canarsie on Wednesday. The New York Post reported.
Surveillance camera footage shows a taxi driver, later identified by police as Ali, restarting his engine as he drives onto the sidewalk near the Mesivta Nachlas Yakov school building.
He then chases a group of young people in an apparent attempt to run them over.
The group, which sought safety inside the school building, alleged that while chasing them, Ali shouted: “I’m going to kill all the Jews.”
Taxi driver Asghar Ali, 58, allegedly tried to mow down a group of students and a rabbi outside a Jewish school in Brooklyn while shouting, “I’m going to kill all the Jews.”
Asghar Ali, 58, a Pakistani immigrant with a history of mental illness, faces dozens of charges, including attempted murder. In the photo during his arrest.
Ali first launched his attack by attempting to hit a teenager who was talking on the phone while standing at Glenwood Road and East 55 Street, a rabbi told the newspaper.
He then allegedly went around the block, driving on the wrong side of East 56th Street, and plowed his car into a group of 30 to 40 students dressed in traditional Orthodox clothing.
Ali drove back to the school, where he then drove his car into two more students and a rabbi. The victims ran towards the building before being run over.
The taxi driver fled the scene, but was later found by members of the Shomrim Safety Patrol who contacted the NYPD.
Police detained Ali and took him to Coney Island Hospital. He faces several charges, including attempted murder, attempted assault and hate crimes.
Agents do not believe the attack is related to terrorism and have no evidence that Ali is associated with radical groups, according to the newspaper.
The NYPD has identified five victims in the attack, including three 18-year-olds, a 41-year-old and a 44-year-old. No one was injured during the incident.
Surveillance camera footage shows a taxi driver, later identified by police as Ali, after pulling up to the sidewalk near the Mesivta Nachlas Yakov school building on Wednesday morning.
One of Ali’s alleged victims is seen running towards the school for safety amid the attack.
Ali is shown driving near the school on Wednesday around 11:25 a.m.
Ali, who has lived in the United States for more than 20 years, is considered “emotionally disturbed,” the Post reported, citing law enforcement sources.
He reportedly has four prior arrests, including one related to false identification.
He also allegedly claims to be a professional taxi driver, but does not have a TLC driver’s license.
The NYPD has been contacted for additional information and comment. DailyMail.com attempted to contact the Mesivta Nachlas Yakov school, but no one was immediately available.