WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — A Yonkers man has been indicted on multiple charges, including attempted murder as a hate crime, following an attack on a Jewish barber in his Yonkers Avenue barbershop, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office announced.
The defendant, Ahmed Al Jabali, 34, was arraigned on Friday before New York Supreme Court Justice Larry Schwartz. He faces two counts of attempted murder in the second degree as a hate crime, among other charges, for the August 29 attack in which he allegedly stabbed the victim with barber’s scissors while making anti-Semitic statements.
The Westchester County District Attorney, Miriam E. Rocah, emphasized the commitment to combating hate-based violence. “My office will continue to work with law enforcement partners to seek accountability and justice in cases of hate-based violence and ensure our communities that we will not tolerate acts of hate in any form,” Rocah said in a statement.
According to the felony complaint, Al Jabali allegedly attacked the barber, stabbing him in the face, body, arms, and hands while shouting, “I want to kill you, you [expletive] Jew.” The victim managed to call police and was treated at a local hospital for his injuries.
Al Jabali was arrested shortly after the incident by the Yonkers Police Department and has been remanded in custody since his arrest.
The charges against Al Jabali include:
- Two counts of attempted murder in the second degree as a hate crime
- Attempted murder in the second degree
- Two counts of attempted assault in the first degree as a hate crime
- Attempted assault in the first degree
- Two counts of assault in the second degree as a hate crime
- Assault in the second degree
- Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree
The case is being prosecuted by Major Case Bureau Chief Nadine Nagler in conjunction with the Hate Crimes Unit. Al Jabali’s next court date is set for October 23.
