Grafton Thomas Biography – Wiki
Grafton Thomas is identified as the suspect of the Monsey stabbing attack. He is arrested after a masked, machete-wielding man barged into a Hanukkah celebration and stabbed five people at a rabbi’s home in Monsey, New York, on Saturday evening, intensifying fears anti-Semitic violence after a spate of incidents last week.
Some media outlets reported the suspect’s name as Thomas Grafton or Thomas E. Grafton, but public records reveal it to be Grafton E. Thomas. He is scheduled to be arraigned on five counts of attempted murder and one count of burglary at a Rockland County courthouse on Sunday.
Horrific.
So many Jewish families in our city have close ties to Monsey. We cannot overstate the fear people are feeling right now.
I’ve spoken to longtime friends who, for the first time in their lives, are fearful to show outward signs of their Jewish faith. https://t.co/KUUHlu6guY
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 29, 2019
“There is no tolerance for hate acts of any kind and we will continue to monitor this terrible situation,” said James.
“I stand with the Jewish community tonight and every night.”
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the attack “terrible.”
“So many Jewish families in our city have close relationships with Monsey. We cannot overstate the fear people are currently feeling, ”he wrote on Twitter.
HATE WILL NOT TRIUMPH! Rabbi Rottenberg continues his Chanukah event after the stabbing attack. He says if we thank G-d for something we need BEFORE we get it, there is a greater chance to get it. They sing Thank you, Hashem, for saving us. (His son is in critical condition) pic.twitter.com/Pdx7MVU5Qr
— GreaterLakewood.com (@GreaterLakewood) December 29, 2019
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed his solidarity with the victims in his opening speeches at his weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday. “Israel fully condemns the recent anti-Semitic incidents and brutal attack in the middle of Hanukkah at the rabbi’s house in Monsey, New York,” he said. “We will work with the local authorities in every way to help eliminate this phenomenon. We offer our help to all countries. ”
The attack comes after at least seven other anti-Semitic incidents were reported in New York City this week, prompting the New York City Police Department to increase the number of officers in predominantly Jewish areas. The stabbings also come less than a month after four people were killed in a “targeted” shooting at a Jersey City kosher supermarket that investigators believe was fueled by a “hatred of the Jewish people.”
Thomas E. Grafton Arrested
Ramapo Town Police said the suspect was in custody. He reportedly escaped the scene but was arrested in Harlem after being tracked down through the license plate number of his vehicle.
BREAKING: suspect wanted in connection with Monsey stabbing arrested by NYPD in 32 Precinct. @lohud pic.twitter.com/NgEZLUyQJc
— Chris Eberhart (@ChrisEberhart2) December 29, 2019
Monsey Stabbing Victims
Of the five victims rushed to local hospitals, two of them were in critical condition as of late Saturday, according to the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council for the Hudson Valley region. The organization said one of the victims had been stabbed six times.
Investigations
The office of New York Attorney General Letitia James released a statement saying she was left “deeply disturbed” by the incident.
Our @bernstein_evan is on the scene of reported stabbings in #Monsey with first responders and law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/Um9sl2XqTc
— ADL New York / New Jersey (@ADL_NYNJ) December 29, 2019
Grafton E. Thomas Criminal History
The suspect has now been named as Grafton Thomas, 37. He has a criminal history that includes punching a police horse, according to Daily Beast.
Grafton E. Thomas Video
Disturbing videos posted to Twitter showed victims on stretchers and chaos at the scene. You can see some of those videos throughout this article, but be aware that they are very disturbing. The reports are preliminary and were just breaking on the evening of December 28, 2019. ABC 7 reported that the rabbi’s home is located next door “to his congregation.”
Scenes from the stabbing that just took place in the synagogue in Forshay Rockland County #Antisemitism pic.twitter.com/Yt9STsikCd
— MikesOffice (@office_mikes) December 29, 2019