A terrifying attack at a day camp run by the Jewish Institute of Queens is now under investigation, after authorities say a man tried to force his way into the building while wielding a hammer. The assault at a summer camp for children sent a wave of alarm through the community and prompted a swift response from both first responders and the people who were on site.
According to authorities, officers responded to a 911 call from the day camp on Woodhaven Boulevard in Elmhurst just before 11 o'clock in the morning. Eyewitnesses said a man carrying a hammer tried to push his way into the building, turning what should have been an ordinary camp day into a frightening emergency in a matter of moments.
In the course of the attack, the man shoved an 8-year-old boy, who hit a fence and suffered a cut to his head. The image of a young child caught up in the violence underscored the danger of the moment, as staff and others at the camp scrambled to protect the children inside from the intruder at the door.
When the man reached the entrance, a security guard pushed him out, but he attempted to enter the building again. At that point, according to an eyewitness, the security guard, along with a few more people including the witness, tackled the man to the ground and held him there until police arrived, preventing him from getting back inside.
The boy and a counselor who were injured in the attack were taken to the hospital, and both are expected to physically recover. Their injuries, while serious enough to require medical care, were not described as life-threatening, offering a measure of relief amid an episode that could have been far worse given the weapon involved and the presence of children.
The attack drew a forceful response from the state's top official. In a statement, Governor Hochul said violence against an 8-year-old is unconscionable, and vowed that she would do everything in her power to ensure that every New Yorker can live, learn and worship safely. As the investigation continues, the case has become the latest flashpoint over safety and security for the city's Jewish community.