A 42-year-old New York City man with an extensive criminal history is facing new criminal charges after allegedly chasing a young woman while carrying a hammer into a Jewish school in Queens, an incident that alarmed students, staff, and the surrounding community.

According to the New York Police Department and court records, Shaleek Brunson was charged with assault, menacing, burglary, and criminal possession of a weapon following the incident on July 28, 2026, at the Jewish Institute of Queens in Elmhurst. Prosecutors say Brunson allegedly pursued a 19-year-old woman, who ran into the school seeking safety after noticing him following her.

Authorities allege that Brunson attempted to enter the school while armed with a hammer, prompting a security guard to confront him. During the struggle, an 8-year-old boy was knocked to the ground and suffered a head injury. The child was treated for injuries that were reported as non-life-threatening, while officers quickly arrested Brunson at the scene and recovered the hammer.

Investigators say the woman and the suspect did not know each other, and officials have stated that the woman is not Jewish. Representatives from Queens Shmira, a local volunteer public safety organization, said there is currently no evidence indicating the incident was motivated by antisemitism, although authorities initially reviewed that possibility as part of the investigation.

The case has also renewed debate over New York’s bail laws. Prosecutors noted that Brunson has accumulated more than 50 prior arrests, including recent theft-related cases. Just days before the Queens incident, he had been arrested for allegedly stealing merchandise from a Manhattan department store and was released under non-monetary conditions because the charges were not eligible for bail under current state law. Prosecutors say the latest charges also do not qualify for bail, meaning he could again be released while the case proceeds through the courts.

Law enforcement sources also say Brunson has a long history of mental health-related encounters with police, along with previous arrests for offenses including larceny and robbery. However, officials emphasized that the current criminal case will be decided on the evidence presented in court. Brunson remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Community leaders praised the school’s security staff and responding NYPD officers for acting quickly, saying their intervention likely prevented a more serious outcome. The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors prepare for Brunson’s court proceedings.

Source: New York Post;