NEWS AFFAIRS 7 : WHERE EVERY STORY HAS IT'S AFFAIR!
Background of the Incident
A shocking incident occurred in Brooklyn, where a cab driver attempted to run over Orthodox Jewish students outside a Jewish school while shouting antisemitic threats. The driver, Ashgar Ali, a 58-year-old Pakistani immigrant, has a troubling history of erratic behavior and mental health issues, according to police sources and neighbors.
Ali’s Disturbing History
Ashgar Ali, who moved to the United States from Pakistan 20 years ago, has been involved in several incidents due to his unstable behavior. Neighbors describe him as a reclusive individual who rarely interacts with anyone. One neighbor mentioned that Ali would leave for work every morning but never engaged with those around him.
Ali’s disturbing behavior dates back to 2007. On June 7, 2007, he was taken to a hospital for evaluation following an incident on Coney Island Avenue. Although details of this incident are scarce, further troubling behavior continued. On August 30, 2011, Ali was taken into custody for acting irrationally and threatening to harm himself. He was subsequently taken to Coney Island Hospital for psychiatric evaluation. Just a few weeks later, on September 10, 2011, he was reported to be suffering from an unspecified mental illness after a non-violent incident.
In January 2023, Ali was again taken to Coney Island Hospital after he was seen walking in circles on Flatbush Avenue and Kings Highway, appearing confused. This pattern of erratic behavior indicates a long history of mental health issues that have alarmed both law enforcement and his neighbors.
The Attack on Orthodox Jewish Students
The most recent and disturbing incident occurred on a Wednesday morning in Brooklyn. Ali, driving a white 2011 Crown Victoria, targeted Orthodox Jewish students and rabbis outside a yeshiva in Flatbush. Surveillance footage captured the horrifying moment when Ali revved his engine and sped towards the group. Two rabbis were seen running to safety as Ali’s car approached.
According to police, Ali shouted, “I’m gonna kill all the Jews,” as he aimed his vehicle at the students and rabbis. He then circled the block and returned, continuing his threatening behavior. Fortunately, no one was harmed during the incident, but it left the community shaken.
Arrest and Investigation
Following the attack, police arrested Ashgar Ali for attempting to mow down the Jewish students and rabbis. This incident is not the first time Ali has been involved in troubling situations. On February 11, shortly before the recent attack, Ali was picked up by police on Coney Island Avenue for behaving erratically and threatening people.
Law enforcement sources have revealed that Ali has been sent to hospital psych wards at least three times in the past due to his emotionally disturbed behavior. His long history of mental health issues and erratic actions raises questions about how he was still able to operate a vehicle and pose a threat to the community.
Community Reactions
The attempted attack has deeply affected the Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn. The footage of the incident and the antisemitic threats have left residents concerned for their safety. Local leaders and community members are calling for increased security measures to protect against such threats in the future.
Addressing Mental Health and Safety
Ali’s case highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues and ensuring that individuals with a history of disturbed behavior receive proper care and monitoring. It also underscores the need for robust measures to prevent those with severe mental health issues from posing a danger to themselves and others.
Conclusion
The attempted attack by Ashgar Ali on Orthodox Jewish students in Brooklyn is a stark reminder of the threats faced by communities due to individuals with severe mental health issues and extremist views. As the investigation continues, there is a pressing need to enhance community safety and provide better mental health support to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
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