(JTA) — A stabbing in Manhattan that initially left a Jewish man from Brooklyn clinging to life does not appear to be a hate crime.
A 22-year-old FedEx worker stabbed Jack Gindi, 28, at least four times on Monday near the Empire State Building, leaving him in critical condition. He is currently listed in stable condition at Bellevue Hospital.
While Gindi, of Brooklyn, has been identified in several news reports as Orthodox, he did not look identifiably Jewish in photos taken of the attack.
Police first said that Gindi and his attacker, Tyquan Bailey, got into an argument that led to the stabbing. But surveillance footage of the incident shows Bailey approaching Gindi from behind without any interaction and attacking him. Police said that Bailey frequently delivered packages to the office where Gindi worked. The workplace was not specified.
Bailey was charged in Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday with attempted murder, assault and weapon possession. He was not charged with a bias or hate crime. He reportedly got into an argument the previous day with someone who worked in the same building as Gindi, and threatened to “rip” his head off, according to the New York Daily News.
A FedEx spokesperson said in a statement: “We were shocked to learn about the incident in Manhattan today and our thoughts go out to the individual who was injured. We are cooperating fully with investigating authorities at this time.”
A Facebook post dated Tuesday afternoon from someone who appears to be acquainted with Gindi reads: “Baruch HaShem the prognosis on Jack Gindi. May he and his family see many happy healthy prosperous years. ‘Cat scan came back great. No damage to spine. He’ll be walking in 2-3 weeks BH. Lots of muscle damage to his back. Long road ahead but he’s good BH. Send this to all the boys. Love u guys ‘”
Orthodox Jewish news websites called on readers to recite psalms on behalf of “Yaakov Ben Yocheved,” presumably Gindi’s Hebrew name.
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