The Lakewood Police Department is investigating and multiple bochurim are giving statements at police headquarters after a man reportedly armed with a machete or similar large knife approached them, threatened them, and chased them.
The bochurim, from Yeshiva Toras Chesed (R’ Nosson Stein) on 10th and Monmouth, were standing outside near the yeshiva when the man approached them. They were chased up the stairs and into the yeshiva building before the suspect fled.
Police combed the yeshiva building, which contains the bais medrash, dining room, and dormitories on the upper floors, before allowing bochurim back inside.
According to officials, the suspect is a black male who seemingly wanted to pick a fight. Nothing antisemitic was said by the suspect, but police are not ruling out antisemitism as a possible motive.
Police units will remain at the yeshiva all night to provide additional security and are on high alert for possible further attacks from this suspect.
