Suspect in Brooklyn Chabad car-ramming incident faces federal charge

"Dan Sohail, a 36-year-old resident of Carteret, New Jersey, allegedly rammed his car into the Chabad building at 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights five times after gesturing at bystanders to move out of the way, knocking the door off of its hinges and destroying his car's bumper."

"The incident took place as thousands were gathered at Chabad's headquarters in Crown Heights to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the date that Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson became the leader of the Lubavitch movement. No one was injured."

"During a post-arrest interview, Sohail told authorities he had recently discovered he had Jewish heritage and was learning more about the Jewish tradition. Sohail had previously visited several other Chabad locations and Yeshiva Gedola of Carteret, where Rabbi Eliyahu Teitz said Sohail ranted about his experience with Chabad the day before the car ramming attack."

Dan Sohail, 36, from Carteret, New Jersey, rammed his vehicle into the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights five times in January, damaging the building's door and destroying his car's bumper. The incident occurred during a gathering of thousands celebrating the 75th anniversary of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson's leadership. Sohail removed barriers blocking vehicle access before the ramming. He faces federal charges for intentionally damaging religious property and state hate crime charges including reckless endangerment and attempted assault. During questioning, Sohail claimed he recently discovered Jewish heritage and attributed the incident to icy conditions and heavy boots affecting his pedal control. No injuries occurred.

Read at The Forward