UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan – Police are investigating an assault on the manager of a Jewish bookstore in Manhattan as a hate crime.
Authorities say the 52-year-old victim, who works at the West Side Judaica on the Upper West Side, was attacked by a man who walked in and cursed the Jews Monday afternoon.
The victim said he noticed a man pacing outside, so he exited the store and approached him. The suspect reportedly declared “(Expletive) you Jews. I’ll kill you. I’m a Muslim.”
Police say he then punched the victim multiple times and fled the store on a scooter.
The manager was treated for non life-threatening injuries.
The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the attack as a possible bias incident.
Police said that the attacker, who is approximately 5’10 and in his twenties, was last seen wearing a red hooded jacket and blue jeans.
