A 9-year-old Orthodox Jewish boy was randomly attacked by a stranger in Brooklyn in what police are investigating as a possible hate crime — the first of two similar incidents that occurred within an hour of each other, authorities said Thursday.
The boy was walking home with his mother around 6 p.m. Sunday near Throop Avenue and Walton Street in Williamsburg.
Without saying a word, the passerby approached and punched him repeatedly in the face before rushing off, police said.
The child suffered swelling and pain but did not need to be transported to the hospital.
Police on Thursday provided a photo and video of his attacker, whom they described as being approximately 14 to 18 years old and 5-foot-6 inches tall, with a medium build.
Just 30 minutes later, a second Orthodox boy, age 12, was walking home when he was approached by four or five strangers near Walton Street and Union Avenue — just over a block away from the previous attack, police and law enforcement sources said.
The group of men shoved the boy to the pavement and punched him before fleeing, law enforcement sources added.
He suffered pain to the back of his head and scratches, but did not require medical attention.
“Thank God they’re fine,” said the mother of the 9-year-old, when reached by phone Thursday. “We’ll let the authorities handle it.”
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