Grand Jury Indicts Suspect in Upper West Side Stabbing Attacks

A Manhattan grand jury has returned an indictment against 51-year-old Raul Morales, the individual accused of carrying out two separate stabbing attacks on the Upper West Side on July 23. While the specific charges contained within the indictment remain sealed, the suspect had previously been charged by complaint with hate crimes following the incidents.

According to law enforcement reports, the first assault occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. in the vicinity of Central Park West and West 84th Street, where a 57-year-old Asian man was stabbed in the back. Shortly thereafter, a second attack took place near West 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, near a local synagogue, where a 50-year-old Jewish man was stabbed.

Investigators allege that Morales shouted "Allahu Akbar" during both encounters. Following his arrest, the suspect has offered inconsistent statements when questioned about his motivations, at one point shouting in court that he "loved his mother."

The formal indictment is scheduled to be unsealed during a court appearance on September 22, at which time the precise nature of the charges will be made public. Morales remains in custody pending that proceeding.