A man is in custody following a stabbing in Monsey Saturday night that’s being called “domestic terrorism.” Ramapo Police say the incident took place at 47 Forshay Road in Monsey, not far from RCC, where five people were injured at a Rabbi’s home during a large Hanukkah celebration around 10pm. In various media outlets witnesses described a chaotic scene. Police say 38 year-old Grafton Thomas of Greenwood Lake fled, but he was brought into custody in the city around two hours later and then transferred to Rockland. At a Sunday morning press conference at Ramapo Town Hall, Ramapo Police Chief Brad Weidel said Thomas was caught thanks in part to a witness who noted the suspect’s license plate at the scene …
Governor Andrew Cuomo came down for the press event. He lamented he could not say this was an isolated incident, and called recent anti-semitic attacks an American cancer…
Cuomo also referred to the Monsey attack as “domestic terrorism.” Rockland Sheriff Lou Falco said it would be unwise to become complacent and think terror attacks couldn’t happen in your neighborhood…
Ramapo supervisor Michael Specht said at Sunday morning’s press conference that Ramapo’s name is now etched alongside other communities including Pittsburgh and Jersey City which have suffered major incidents of hate…
Steve Gold, the co-president of the Jewish Federation of Rockland County, said stronger laws were needed so acts like this do not happen again…
Rockland County Executive Ed Day promised law enforcement would leave “no stone un-turned” in bringing “swift and severe justice…”
The specific conditions of the victims is unknown, though one man was reported to have suffered a fractured skull and is in critical condition at Westchester Medical Center. Rockland prosecutors wanted Thomas held without bail for five counts of attempted murder, but the New York Post said Ramapo Town Justice Rhoda Schoenberger set bail at $5 million. She also issued orders of protection for the victims. Thomas is due back in court on Friday. Through their attorney, his family says he has had a long history of mental illness. The incident follows a week of several anti-semitic events in the city, the Jersey City kosher market murder, and last month’s stabbing of a man who was walking to a synagogue in Monsey, which some are suggesting may be linked to Saturday night’s incident. In a tweet Sunday afternoon, president Trump said “The anti-Semitic attack in Monsey, New York, on the 7th night of Hanukkah…is horrific. We must all come together to fight, confront, and eradicate the evil scourge of anti-Semitism. Melania and I wish the victims a quick and full recovery.”