Mass stabbing at rabbi's home in New York: What we know so far

A mass stabbing at the home of an ultra-Orthodox rabbi in Monsey, N.Y. has left five people wounded — two critically — the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council tweeted Saturday night.

The latest: Authorities told a news conference early Sunday that New York Police Department had located a possible suspect and a vehicle wanted in connection with the incident in the 32nd Precinct.

Three Jews stabbed in a synagogue in Monsey tonight. An intruder came into Rabbi Rottenberg's shul with a machete.

There are no words to describe the anxiety of this moment. pic.twitter.com/F4VBhNWMpz

— Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt (@avitalrachel) December 29, 2019

---

• The wounded, all Hasidic, were taken to local hospitals following the attack, which happened at 9:50 p.m., the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council said.
• "One of the victims was stabbed at least 6 times. The fifth/least severe case had a cut in his hand," the Council said in a statement posted to Twitter, adding that the attacker fled in a vehicle.
• "One of the victims was stabbed at least 6 times. The fifth/least severe case had a cut in his hand," the Council said in a statement posted to Twitter, adding that the attacker fled in a vehicle.
• The NYPD Counterterrorism Bureau is "closely monitoring" the situation, it said in a statement on Twitter.
• The state police hate crimes task force task force has been instructed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to investigate the stabbing, he announced in a statement posted to Twitter condemning the attack.

What they're saying: Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt called for authorities to urgently provide increased protection "and ensure that the full force of the law is brought down on those who perpetrate such horrific crimes."

After the hateful assaults we saw this past week in Brooklyn and Manhattan, it is heart-wrenching to see the holiday of Hanukkah violated yet again. We are outraged because the answer is clear: the Jewish community NEEDS greater protection.

— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) December 29, 2019

• "We cannot overstate the fear people are feeling right now," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted. "I’ve spoken to longtime friends who, for the first time in their lives, are fearful to show outward signs of their Jewish faith. ... We will NOT allow this to become the new normal.

"We’ll use every tool we have to stop these attacks once and for all. The NYPD has deployed a visible and growing presence around Jewish houses of worship on the streets in communities like Williamsburg, Crown Heights and Boro Park."

De Blasio tweet

I am deeply disturbed by the situation unfolding in Monsey, New York tonight.

There is zero tolerance for acts of hate of any kind and we will continue to monitor this horrific situation.

I stand with the Jewish community tonight and every night.

— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) December 29, 2019

Editor's note: This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.