A disturbing series of incidents unfolded in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where a group of individuals reportedly targeted people dressed in traditional Hasidic Jewish attire with pellet and gel guns. Over two days, at least seven individuals were struck in what police sources suspect to be a hate crime spree, occurring during the significant period of Passover week.
Loyall White, aged 53, along with Jermaine Lincoln and Iesha Cintron, both 30, were taken into custody following allegations that they attacked two Hasidic Jewish men using a gel gun from a white Mitsubishi. These incidents took place separately while the victims were walking in Williamsburg. Police connected this vehicle to earlier similar attacks, where five individuals were targeted with a pellet gun in the same vicinity. Authorities believe the same perpetrators were involved in both sets of incidents.
One of the reported incidents involved a 24-year-old man who contacted 911 after being shot in the head with a gel gun while walking near the intersection of Hewes Street and Broadway. Another victim, a 30-year-old man, reported being shot at from a similar vehicle about a mile away, though he was not hit.
On the previous day, separate reports detailed that a 20-year-old man and two 21-year-old men were targeted with a pellet gun near Throop Avenue and Gerry Street. Additionally, a 20-year-old woman and her 19-year-old brother claimed they were struck by pellet shots from a moving car outside a synagogue on Lee Avenue and Wallabout Street.
Police identified the suspect vehicle, recovering two gel guns from within. The ownership of the vehicle remains unclear, although it has amassed 48 traffic violations since 2023, predominantly for speeding in a school zone.
White, Lincoln, and Cintron were apprehended and are awaiting arraignment at the Brooklyn Criminal Court. The decision on whether they will face hate crime charges lies with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.
