NYC 'Allahu Akbar' stabbings suspect's charges revealed, yells bizarre message during perp walk
Raul Morales faces attempted murder and hate crime charges after police said he stabbed two men during separate attacks on Manhattan's Upper West Side
The man accused of stabbing two people while allegedly yelling "Allahu Akbar" on Manhattan's Upper West Side Thursday afternoon has been charged with attempted murder, including hate crime counts tied to one of the victims, according to the New York City Police Department.
During a perp walk Friday afternoon, Raul Morales, 51, could be heard yelling "Justice for the Romero family" to reporters, mentioning an unknown woman by name, vowing, "you're going to remember her name forever."
Morales faces attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the stabbing of a 57-year-old Asian man, the NYPD confirmed.
In the attack on a 50-year-old Jewish man, Morales has been charged with attempted murder as a hate crime, assault as a hate crime, assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
WITNESSES RECOUNT 'SCARY' NYC STABBING AFTER SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY YELLED 'ALLAHU AKBAR' DURING ATTACKS
Police said the stabbings appeared to be separate attacks that happened near each other Thursday afternoon on the Upper West Side. Authorities said there was no known connection between Morales and either victim or between the two victims.
According to police, Morales allegedly yelled "Allahu Akbar" during the attacks. The NYPD is investigating whether bias played a role.
Both victims were taken to a hospital in stable condition. Police have said initial findings suggest mental health may have been a factor in the attacks, though Morales had no known mental health history with the NYPD.