D.A. Bragg Announces Hate Crime Indictment Of Man For Anti-Muslim Attack In Midtown

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of DAVID GRINBLAT, 34, for repeatedly punching a 25-year-old Muslim man in Midtown, while making anti-Muslim remarks. GRINBLAT is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with two counts of Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime and one count of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree. [1]

"As alleged, David Grinblat attacked a man because of his perceived religion and national origin and spewed racist, anti-Muslim words at him," said District Attorney Bragg. "We will continue to hold those accountable who commit acts of hatred, which have no place in our city. If you have been a victim or witness to a hate crime or bias incident, please call 911 or report it to our Hate Crimes Unit at 212-335-3100."

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on August 5, 2024, at approximately 8:48 p.m., the victim was speaking on his cellphone in Urdu, while walking down the street near West 53rd Street and 5th Avenue. Walking by the man, GRINBLAT spat on him and stated, in substance, "F-ing Muslim."

As GRINBLAT walked away, the man followed him, asking GRINBLAT why he spat on him. In response, GRINBLAT continued to make anti-Muslim remarks, including calling the man a "terrorist" and telling him to "go back to Asia." GRINBLAT punched the man in the face several times, cutting his lip, and causing redness, swelling and pain to his face and ear. The man took out his cellphone and began recording GRINBLAT and continued to follow him, asking why he had attacked him.

A few minutes later, GRINBLAT and the man entered the Fifth Avenue/53rd Street subway station. GRINBLAT eventually responded to the man stating, in substance, "Death to Muslims," and punched the man in the face, several more times.

GRINBLAT fled the scene and was arrested a few days later, on August 8, 2024.

Assistant D.A. Matthew Bayley (Trial Bureau 70) is handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Constantine Coritsidis (Deputy Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit) and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Senior Hate Crimes Investigative Analyst Julie Anne Doreen Lim is providing valuable assistance in the case.

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Alfred Genao of the Hate Crimes Task Force.

Defendant Information:

DAVID GRINBLAT

Brooklyn, NY

Charged:

• Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, a class E felony, two counts
• Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count

###

[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.