Two Bochurim Severely Beaten With a Pistol On Friday Night

NOVEMBER 28, 2008 6:00 PM: As if this past Friday we did not have enough problems, as if the Murder of the Shluchim, Rabbi Gavriel and Mrs. Rivka Holtzberg HYD, along with four other Jews who were brutally murdered by terrorists in their Chabad House in Mumbai, India was not enough, Lubavitchers were attacked again, this time in Crown Heights.

It all began at around 6:00 PM Friday night, as two Bocherim walking home from Shul were surrounded by a group of 7 African American youth’s who demanded that they hand over their money. The Bochurim, only sixteen years of age, responded that they don’t carry money on shabbos.

Upon hearing this, one of the attackers pulled a handgun from his pocket and put it to one of the Bochurim’s head, the Bochur annoyingly pushed the gun away from his head and repeated “we don’t carry money on our sabbath”, the Bochurim then began walking away. In an instant the gun came crashing down on his skull as the entire group, comprising of 7 African American teens ruthlessly beat them, leaving one with a large gash from getting hit by the gun and the other unconscious.

Moments after the attack, two Yungerleit who happened to be passing by, noticed the beaten Bochurim and the fleeing teens, (who, at this points were two blocks down the street) took chase and had someone call 911, Hatzalah and Shmira. They chased the group for several minutes, before an NYPD officer joined the chase, but unfortunately the group disappeared from sight on St. Johns Place.

For the duration of the night, multiple NYPD units along with Shmira members canvassed the area in search of the perpetrators, described as seven African American Males, ages fifteen to eighteen, but were unable to find them.

In response to the brutal attack, the NYPD added patrols to the already highly secured neighborhood, including a watch tower and Mobile Command Center on Kingston Avenue.

In addition a huge electronic sign was placed on Eastern Parkway with the words “If you see something, say something” and a phone number to report tips.

Police commissioner Ray Kelly, present at the news conference in Crown Heights on Friday, claimed that the NYPD has beefed up patrols around large hotels and Jewish centers, including the Lubavitcher headquarters.

However, following the attack on Friday night, many locals are questioning these claims. Many Crown Heights residents expressed satisfaction following the added patrols, but our photographer heard several asking why the police presence was felt so strongly on Kingston Ave. as opposed to the other areas which have been more prone to crime in the past.

The Shmira hotline (718) 221-0303 is in operation 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, to protect and serve the community.

If you see something, say something, call 911 and Shmira immediately!

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