Police Release Surveillance Video of Firebombing Suspect

Police have released surveillance video in connection with the firebombing incident in Manhattan on Friday in which two Yeshiva students were believed to have been targeted. Police are certain that this is not the case and it is no longer being considered a hate crime.

According to the police, on Friday, October 9, 2015 at approximately 1:30pm, the suspect approached a group of adult males in front of 356 West 37 Street and threw a glass bottle containing a flammable liquid and a burning rag in their direction. The bottle shattered on the ground and started a fire in front of the location and the suspect fled on foot, southbound on 9th Avenue. There were no injuries incurred as a result of this incident.

The suspect is described as follows: Male, white, approximately 5’9″ tall, weighing approximately 215 lbs., and wearing a backpack.

Police sources said that the incident is mostly likely the result of an ongoing dispute between food-cart vendors and that the man sitting in front of the store was likely the intended target. Police also no longer believe that the incident was a hate crime.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.