A knifeman identified as Raul Morales yelled “Allahu Akbar” as he stabbed two people in New York on Thursday, says the New York Police Department.

Jessica Tisch, NYPD police commissioner, disclosed this in a statement circulated on X on Thursday.

“This afternoon, two people were stabbed in separate attacks on the Upper West Side,” Ms Tisch said. “Both victims—an Asian male and a Jewish male—were removed to Mt. Sinai-St. Luke’s Hospital, and both are expected to survive.” 

The police commissioner added, “Detectives are continuing to work the case and determine motive, but according to victim and witness statements, Morales yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ during both attacks. The NYPD is currently evaluating whether this is a potential hate crime.”

Mr Morales, 51, has been arrested in connection with both attacks and is being held by the NYPD.

The police said, “While the perpetrator has no known mental health history with the NYPD, the initial investigation suggests that mental health may have been a factor.”

Mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, in a post on X on Thursday, said he has been briefed on the “horrifying stabbings on the Upper West Side, where an Asian man and a Jewish man were attacked.”

“According to witness and victim statements, the perpetrator yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ during both attacks. I am relieved that both victims are in stable condition,” the mayor said.

“The NYPD’s initial investigation suggests that mental health may have been a factor. They are also evaluating these stabbings as potential hate crimes. These hateful and despicable attacks have no place in our city,” Mr Mamdani added.