The NYPD is looking for a woman who poured gas on a Yeshiva in Brooklyn, as a year that has seen a rise in hate crimes, among several offenses, in the city continues.
The incident took place Thursday night at around 7:27 pm, according to police. They received a call for an arson incident outside the Yeshiva of Flatbush on Avenue J.
A Yeshiva is a Jewish school that focuses on traditional religious texts. There are about 275 Yeshivas in New York City.
When they arrived, police determined that a woman poured gasoline in front of the building and lit it on fire. Thankfully, a security guard for the school doused the fire with water.
No injuries occurred as a result of the blaze. The suspect fled on foot in an unknown direction.
The woman police are searching for is about 5'4', average build, with dark hair; she was last seen wearing all dark-colored clothing, black shoes and carrying a red gasoline canister.
The case is being investigated by the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force.
Several local politicians commented on the incident.
Mayor Bill de Blasio called the incident 'an attack on all New Yorkers' in a tweet. He said they will bring the suspect to justice.
State Governor Kathy Hochul called the incident cowardly and directed New York State Police's Hate Crimes Task Force to assist the NYPD.
'At around 7:30PM last night, an unidentified individual poured gasoline in front of the Yeshiva of Flatbush and ignited it,' Hochul said. 'Thankfully, there were no injuries, but I want to make it very clear that this cowardly act of hate has no home here in New York. No child should ever be made to feel unsafe, especially in a place of learning.'
Both 2021 New York City mayoral candidates weight in on the story as well.
Democratic candidate and former
