Man admits intentionally ramming car into Brooklyn Chabad headquarters
A 36-year-old man has pleaded guilty to deliberately ramming his car into the Chabad-Lubavitch movement’s global headquarters in Brooklyn. The attack caused significant damage but left no one injured. Dan Sohail admitted in court that he targeted the building on purpose. The incident took place during a memorial service at the synagogue in Crown Heights. Surveillance footage showed Sohail clearing snow from the entrance before accelerating into the building’s side door. He struck the entrance four times, knocking it off its hinges.
Sohail later told investigators he had recently discovered his Jewish heritage. He had visited the Chabad headquarters before but stated, ‘It is the Chabad headquarters,’ when explaining his actions. Despite this, federal prosecutors did not include hate crime charges in the plea agreement.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny confirmed the details from the footage. Sohail now faces up to three years in prison, fines of $250,000, and around $19,000 in restitution. His sentencing will occur later this year, once probation officers submit their recommendation.
The Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters has stood as the global centre of the Hasidic movement since the 1940s. The building remains a key religious and community hub in Brooklyn. Sohail’s guilty plea confirms the attack was intentional. The case will now move to sentencing, where he could receive prison time, heavy fines, and restitution payments. The Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters continues to operate despite the damage caused by the incident.
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