Attacker stabs five at rabbi’s home in New York then flees

Authorities say that five people were stabbed north of New York City during a Hanukkah celebration late Saturday night.

The man suspected of carrying out the attacks is in police custody and faces five counts of attempted murder and one count of burglary, the police chief said.

Ramapo Police Chief Brad Weidel said officers received reports of a stabbing just before 10 p.m. at a residence in Monsey, New York.

Police arrested the suspect soon after locating his vehicle. “The suspect fled the scene, but he is in custody at this time,” the Ramapo Police Department said in a Facebook post.

The stabbing was an “act of terrorism,” the New York governor said.

Photos and videos posted on Twitter show a large emergency response with paramedics running and pushing stretchers. A number of police and emergency vehicles could be seen in the images.

The Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey says it’s also aware of reports and is on the way to the scene in Monsey.

Monsey is about an hour north of New York City.

The Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council for the Hudson Valley region tweeted reports that the stabbings took place at the house of a Hasidic rabbi while they were celebrating Hanukkah.

Several state and local officials have described the location of the stabbing as a synagogue.

Weidel said the five people were taken to hospitals for treatment. It is unclear what the extent of their injuries are or a motive in the stabbing.

New York State Attorney General Leticia James said she was “deeply disturbed” by Saturday’s incident.

“I am deeply disturbed by the situation unfolding in Monsey, New York tonight,” she tweeted. “There is zero tolerance for acts of hate of any kind and we will continue to monitor this horrific situation. I stand with the Jewish community tonight and every night.”

The stabbings in Monsey come on the heels of apparently anti-Semitic attacks reported throughout New York during Hanukkah.

Saturday was the seventh night of Hanukkah.

Around New York City, police have gotten at least six reports this week - and eight since Dec. 13 - of attacks possibly propelled by anti-Jewish bias.