Queens man indicted on hate crime charges for bagel shop vandalism

Dawood Faisal, 22, has been indicted on hate crime charges for allegedly vandalizing a Jewish-owned bagel shop in the Fresh Meadows neighborhood of Queens. Prosecutors allege that Faisal targeted Bagels & Co. specifically because the business is Jewish-owned and displayed Israeli flags and banners.

The indictment details two separate incidents of property damage in May. On May 15, Faisal allegedly knocked over nine metal plant stands and threw dirt at the building. He reportedly returned on May 23, where he kicked over 11 plant stands and uprooted greenery from a large clay pot.

These incidents occurred shortly before a fatal hit-and-run on May 25, in which Faisal allegedly drove a vehicle at 75 mph in a 35 mph zone, striking 71-year-old Cara Trager and her husband, Michael. Faisal was already facing manslaughter and assault charges related to the crash. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated that the property destruction was an expression of antisemitism. If convicted of the hate crime-related criminal mischief charges, Faisal faces up to seven years in prison.