By COLlive reporter
63-year old Avraham Gopin of Crown Heights describes his brutal assault which occurred on Tuesday morning in Crown Heights.
Gopin was walking in Lincoln Terrace Park near Eastern Parkway and Rochester Avenue at approximately 8:30 am when he was attacked by a man who threw a large brick at him.
“There was a battlefield… When he saw me, he jumped towards me… Shutting rocks with full force towards my head,” he told CBS2’s Jenna DeAngelis. “Then, he jumped on me and start to fight with me, trying to knock me in the face – probably, I would say, 20, 25, 30 times with his fists, and I was protecting myself.”
VIDEO: Avraham Gopin recounts his assault
He was taken to Maimonides Hospital with a head injury which required 3 staples, a broken nose, a bruised leg and the loss of two teeth.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to assist in the investigation.
“I am sickened to learn of the vicious attack on a Hasidic Jewish man in Lincoln Terrace Park in Brooklyn. This incident is unfortunately just the latest in a string of horrific anti-Semitic attacks happening across the state and the country – part of the cancer of division and hate that has been injected into the body politic of this nation,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement.
“In New York, we have zero tolerance for bigotry and hate-fueled violence of any kind, and I am directing the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to provide the NYPD with any resources necessary to investigate this incident and bring the individual responsible to justice.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish community – and any community targeted by such vile acts – and no matter what happens we will always stay true to our values of dignity and respect for every New Yorker,” Cuomo said.
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement in response to the attack:
“I am alarmed to hear of the brutal and violent anti-Semitic attack in Crown Heights that seriously injured my constituent Avraham Gopin. Mr. Gopin is currently recovering after being attacked and hit in the head with bricks, and I admire his strength. Prior to this attack, Mr. Gopin returned to Brooklyn from Israel after his father’s funeral. New York’s 9th Congressional District is no place for hate, and we must come together to denounce anti-Semitism and hatred in all its forms.
“The uptick in acts of hatred, intolerance, and anti-Semitism that have targeted Jewish communities throughout our nation are truly appalling- this must end. The United States government has a role to play in monitoring those who conspire and act on hate and in bringing those who commit these crimes to justice, and I plan to work with local authorities to ensure this case is addressed promptly. In light of this horrific event, I am thankful that my constituents have come together in support of the Gopin family and to remind our community that such acts of violence are unacceptable and will not be tolerated here.”
A passerby who witnessed the assault captured the suspect on video.
The suspect is described as a black male, around 6-feet tall, with long black dreadlocks. He was last seen in a white t-shirt and black shorts. The NYPD asks anyone who can identify the suspect to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. They say all calls are confidential.
When they catch the animal that committed this heinous crime , he should sit in jail as long as it takes for the Rabbis teeth to grow back in.
I love the way you put it
Refuah Shlaima now
Why is the community silent. Why isn’t there any demonstration demanding justice ?
If the community doesn’t care than why should the police.
It’s time to get new inspector in the 71 .
This is just sick
I don’t understand, how are they raised, why do they act like this??
It’s time for our elected leaders to speak out against the anti-Semitic incitement causing these attacks, such as that from anti-Semitic congresswomen.