Egyptian suspect charged in stabbing of Boston-area rabbi outside Jewish school

A 24-year-old suspect was charged Friday over the previous day's stabbing of a rabbi outside a Jewish school in a Boston-area neighborhood.

Khaled Awad was charged in Brighton District Court with "assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a police officer."

The motive is still unknown at this time. The suspect is an Egyptian who has been in the United States for the past four years. Awad has a previous criminal record in the state of Florida. The suspect's history involved a stint at a mental health clinic.

According to investigators, Awad approached Rabbi Shlomo Noginski, who is in his 50s, while brandishing a gun and ordered the rabbi to hand over his van keys. Noginski was sitting on the steps outside the school, talking on the phone at the time, authorities reported while detailing how the timeline of events unfolded.

According to CBS Boston: "The suspect then ordered the victim to walk over to the white van that was parked on Chestnut Hill Ave. The victim and suspect walked toward the van and the suspect told the victim to get in the van."

After the confrontation, Noginski attempted to flee to the park across the street. He was stabbed a total of eight times in the arm by Awad. The Shaloh House itself had to go into a lockdown, as kids were there for a summer camp program.

A solidarity vigil was held today in Boston to rebuke the attack.

At the event, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said she'd ask for a dangerousness hearing at Awad's arraignment.

It appears Rollins got her request as the reports say Awad will be held without bail until July 8, when the court proceeding is planned.

"We have to recognize that anti-Semitism is on the rise and we need to hold people accountable when they do this so that they are made an example of," said the district attorney at the unity rally on Brighton Common.

The Anti-Defamation League of New England urged the Boston Police Department to investigate Thursday's stabbing as a hate crime.

ADL New England regional director Robert Trestan said Friday facts were "emerging" that included "multiple indicators pointing towards antisemitism."