Upper West Side double-stabbing suspect in custody after barricading himself in apartment, police say

Police have taken 51-year-old Raul Morales into custody following a double stabbing on the Upper West Side that occurred Thursday afternoon. The series of events began near West 84th Street and Central Park West, where a 57-year-old Asian man was stabbed in the back. Shortly after, a 50-year-old Jewish man was attacked at 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. Authorities recovered a screwdriver from the scene of the second attack.

Following the incidents, the suspect fled to an apartment building on Amsterdam Avenue. Members of the NYPD Emergency Service Unit arrived at the location and established a perimeter. After a short negotiation, officers gained access and arrested Morales. Both victims were transported to local hospitals and are expected to survive their injuries.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that detectives are investigating potential hate crime charges. Witnesses and victims reported that the suspect shouted phrases during the attacks. While investigators are looking into mental health factors, they noted that the suspect has seven prior arrests. There is no known connection between the victims, and they did not know each other before these events.

Local officials and residents expressed concern regarding safety in the neighborhood. Assemblyman Micah Lasher acknowledged that constituents are shaken by the random nature of the violence. Menashe Shapiro, a local resident, noted that the Jewish victim was walking away from a nearby synagogue at the time of the attack. Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the violence and confirmed that his office is working closely with the NYPD to review the details of the investigation.