FACT CHECK: Did A Man In New York Deliberately Hit Jewish Pedestrians With His Car?

January 9th, 2025
Members of the New York Police Department patrol the streets after at least 13 people were injured during a rush-hour shooting at a subway station in the New York borough of Brooklyn on April 12, 2022, where authorities said "several undetonated devices" were recovered amid chaotic scenes. - Ambulances lined the street outside the 36th Street subway station, where a New York police spokeswoman told AFP officers responded to a 911 call of a person shot at 8:27 am (1227 GMT). The suspect was still at large, according to Manhattan borough president Mark Levine. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)

A post shared on social media purports that a man appears to have deliberately driven a car into Jewish pedestrians in New York.

 

View on Threads

 

Verdict: False

The incident was determined to be an accident.

Fact Check:

A coalition of healthcare workers called Doctors Against Genocide rallied outside of multiple medical centers Monday, this was co-sponsered by pro-Palestine organizations, The Harvard Crimson reported. The group went to 15 centers and prompted some to clarify that they were not associated with the demonstration, according to the outlet.

A post shared on Threads alleges that a man attempted to kill a group of Jewish pedestrians with his car.

The post reads, “BREAKING: A vehicle has reportedly driven into a group of Jewish pedestrians in Brooklyn, NYC, in what appears to be a deliberate act. The NYPD is treating the incident as a potential hate crime while officials evaluate the injuries sustained.”

The claim is inaccurate. The collision was accidental and not suspected to be criminal, according to USA Today. The NYPD Deputy Chief Richie Taylor told reporters that the incident was an accident caused by the driver’s lack of attention, according to The Times of Israel.

The incident occurred in Kingsway Jewish Center in Brooklyn. The accident occurred on New Year’s Eve when a 69 year-old man hit two elderly women and a 1-year-old, News 12 Brooklyn reported. (RELATED: Yes, Jews Have Been Attacked During Hanukkah)

This is not the first time misinformation about an incident has circulated online. Check Your Fact recently debunked a claim the NYPD named “Amelia Carter” as the subway fire victim.

Joseph Casieri

Fact Check Reporter