New Jersey Man Charged With Federal Hate Crimes For Targeting Jewish Victims

An Indictment has been unsealed charging ALAZIM BAKER with two counts of committing hate crimes in connection with his assaults of Jewish victims in Manhattan on October 27, 2025. BAKER was arrested this morning, according to United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Terence G. Reilly. “As alleged, Alazim Baker deliberately targeted Jewish victims with violence,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Violence motivated by antisemitism or any other anti-faith bias has no place in this great city. Our collective strength as a city is the result of mutual respect for each other’s beliefs and rule of law. The women and men of our Office are dedicated to protecting life, property and faith.” “Alazim Baker allegedly committed despicable hate crimes against multiple members of the Jewish community,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Terence G. Reilly. “Hate crimes like those in this indictment tear at the fabric of our communities. The FBI remains dedicated to holding perpetrators of these offenses accountable to deliver justice for victims and reaffirm to the American people that targeted violence will not be tolerated.” According to the allegations in the Indictment, other public filings, and statements previously made on the record in this case:[1] On October 27, 2025, BAKER approached a visiting Israeli rabbi (Victim-1) while Victim-1 was walking on the block of a well-known kosher restaurant in Manhattan. BAKER repeatedly and aggressively asked Victim-1, “What is your religion?” When they approached the restaurant, BAKER refused to let Victim-1 enter. BAKER then grabbed Victim-1’s yarmulke and threw it on the floor. He then stomped on the yarmulke and spit on it before punching Victim-1 in the face. The punch caused Victim-1 to fall to the ground and into the bike lane. While Victim-1 was lying on the ground and bleeding, Baker yelled toward Victim-1, in sum and substance: “let me spit on that Jew.” The punch left bruises on Victim-1’s face and knee and resulted in Victim-1 suffering a brain bleed. BAKER also made antisemitic statements to two individuals who sought to intervene to help Victim-1—both of whom were wearing yarmulkes. BAKER yelled, in sum and substance: “your people own everything,” “I want my reparation,” and “I’m going to jail today.” BAKER punched one of the intervening individuals (Victim-2) in the head, causing pain and swelling for several days. The other individual (Victim-3) observed brass knuckles on BAKER’s hand. After punching Victim-2, BAKER aggressively pursued Victim-3, who collided with a large, hard object while evading BAKER. The collision caused serious swelling and bruising on Victim-3’s leg for several days. During this part of the interaction, Victim-1 ran for safety into the restaurant. BAKER, 29, of Irvington, New Jersey, is charged with two counts of committing hate crimes, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.