Queens Man Faces Hate-Crime Charges After Bagel Shop Vandalism and Fatal Hit-and-Run

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Dawood Faisal, 22, has been indicted on hate-crime charges linked to two incidents of vandalism at Bagels & Co., a kosher bagel shop that displayed Israeli flags. According to the indictment, Faisal knocked over metal plant stands and hurled dirt at the shop on May 15, then returned on May 23 to repeat the damage and toss soil and potted plants. Within days, he allegedly sped through the heavily Jewish neighborhood in a 2013 Toyota Prius, exceeding the speed limit, ran a red light on Francis Lewis Boulevard, and struck 71-year-old Cara Trager, killing her, while her husband Michael survived.

Bystanders restrained Faisal after his vehicle crashed, leading to his arrest. He already faced manslaughter and assault charges for the May 25 death, and now also faces hate-crime counts for targeting the Jewish-owned business. Katz described the conduct as antisemitic bias that will not be tolerated.