A suspect wanted in two separate stabbing attacks on New York City streets was arrested Friday on attempted murder charges and faces hate crime counts involving both victims — a Jewish man and an Asian man.

Raul Morales, 51, allegedly shouted the Arabic phrase "Allahu akbar" during both attacks on Thursday afternoon on Manhattan's Upper West Side, according to police accounts of witness statements.

Morales was initially arrested Friday on hate crime charges related only to the Jewish victim. He was arraigned later that day and charged with attempted murder and assault as hate crimes covering both victims. The charges carry a consecutive total of 40 years in prison, according to prosecutors. Under New York law, hate crime designations can significantly enhance penalties when prosecutors establish that a defendant targeted a victim based on perceived race, religion, or ethnicity. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 30.

Morales' court-appointed attorney did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment late Friday.

As Morales was escorted out of a police station Friday evening, he shouted about seeking justice for someone. When reporters asked about the stabbings, he said he was "gonna talk about it" before being placed into a police car.

The Attacks

The two stabbings occurred roughly two blocks apart on Thursday afternoon, police said. Both victims were transported to a hospital and were expected to survive. They were in stable condition Friday, state Attorney General Letitia James said during a morning news conference alongside other officials and community leaders.

According to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Morales approached the Asian man from behind and stabbed him with a knife "without provocation." After walking four blocks away, he then stabbed a Jewish man wearing a kippah with a screwdriver, prosecutors said. A witness followed Morales as he fled to the apartment where he was staying, leading to his identification.

The Jewish victim was attacked shortly after leaving a nearby synagogue called the Jewish Center, according to Rabbi Yosie Levine.

"He was just trying to pray at his synagogue, and now we're the ones praying for his recovery," Levine said.

Community Response

The Asian American Foundation, a New York-based advocacy group, said in a statement that the attacks "underscore the persistent safety challenges" and mistreatment — ranging from harassment to physical assault — facing Asian Americans in the city. Anti-Asian hate incidents surged nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, and advocacy groups have reported that elevated rates of such attacks have persisted even as pandemic-era restrictions have lifted.

"We demand continued, meaningful investment in community safety and hate prevention that protects everyone," the group said.

City Comptroller Mark Levine said at the Friday morning news conference: "We are undeniably being disproportionately targeted, again and again and again." He also addressed Asian Americans directly, stating: "We stand in outrage with you."

James and Levine are Democrats.

Rising Hate Crimes

Hate crimes in New York City have been increasing in recent years even as overall violent crime rates have declined, according to police data. In April, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that more than half of all confirmed hate crimes in the city so far this year targeted Jewish people. New York City is home to the largest Jewish population of any city outside Israel, though estimates of the community's size vary and the group represents far less than half of the overall population.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com.