Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg today announced the indictment of JAMAL IDRISSI, 33, for two assaults on Black men in Midtown on October 16, 2021 and October 18, 2021 while saying anti-Black slurs. IDRISSI is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with two counts of Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime and Attempted Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, and Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, a misdemeanor hate crime. [1]

“This egregious hate incident against two Black men further demonstrates the hate crimes epidemic we are facing in our City, and highlights the need for urgent action to address the trauma many communities are facing,” said DA Bragg. “If you have been a victim or witness to a hate crime or bias incident, please call our Hate Crimes Hotline at 212-335-3100.”

According to the indictment and statements made on the record in court, on October 16, 2021, at approximately 3:00 p.m., IDRISSI was arguing with an individual outside an apartment building on West 57th Street. The defendant observed the victim, a Black man, nearby and ran toward him while yelling anti-Black slurs. IDRISSI then punched the victim multiple times while continuing to say anti-Black slurs. As a result of the attack, the victim suffered substantial pain and swelling. On October 18, 2021, two days later, at approximately 7:30 p.m., IDRISSI was yelling at an individual on the corner of West 51st Street and Broadway when the second victim, another Black man, walked by, observed the altercation, and told the defendant to stop. IDRISSI advanced toward him while stating in substance, “Are you trying to be a hero” along with anti-Black slurs. Then, the defendant kicked the victim multiple times in his leg. Subsequently, the victim reported the assault to police officers in the vicinity of the incident. During his arrest, IDRISSI continued to direct anti-Black slurs at the victim.

The Manhattan D.A.’s Office currently has 11 open hate crime cases related to anti-Black hate crimes.

Assistant D.A. James Clarke is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), Assistant D.A. Robert Ferrari (Chief of Trial Bureau 40), and Executive Assistant D.A. Joyce Smith (Chief of the Trial Division).

D.A. Bragg thanked members of the NYPD’s Midtown North Precinct for their assistance with the investigation.

Defendant Information:

JAMAL IDRISSI
New York, NY

Charged:

• Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, two counts
• Attempted Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, two counts
• Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, two counts

^[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.