A heated argument about Middle Eastern geopolitics led to a violent stabbing attack on a Jewish barber in Yonkers, New York.
On August 29, Slava Shushakova was stabbed with scissors by a customer, Ahmed al Jabali, during a heated debate in Shushakova’s barbershop, New York Post reported.
The incident unfolded at Shushakova’s barber shop located on Yonkers Avenue. The assailant, Ahmed al Jabali, 34, was having his beard trimmed when the conversation shifted to the conflict in Gaza. This discussion quickly escalated as al Jabali became increasingly aggressive.
According to victim Slava Shushakova, amidst the altercation, al Jabali grabbed a pair of Jaguar scissors, shouted anti-Semitic threats, and attacked the barber, resulting in Shushakova sustaining serious injuries that required 30 stitches. “I want to kill you, you f–king Jew,” al Jabali allegedly shouted as he attacked, according to the police report.
Al Jabali’s temper escalated from verbal abuse to physical violence in moments. Shushakova described the terrifying ordeal, stating that al Jabali did not heed his pleas to stop and leave but instead declared he had to "finish [you]" before he could depart. The attack seems premeditated as Shushakova revealed al Jabali expressed a perceived religious justification for his actions during their confrontation.
In defense, Shushakova managed to grab a kitchen knife, prompting al Jabali to flee the scene. He was later arrested and is now facing two counts of second-degree attempted murder as a hate crime. His aggressive and anti-Semitic stance during the attack has led the authorities to treat this incident with utmost severity.
Shushakova described Al Jabali, originally from Yemen and known to the victim for some years since they lived in the same neighborhood, as frequently aggressive. His criminal history includes four arrests over the past two years, details that have added to the gravity of the incident.
Following the attack, the Yonkers community expressed shock and concern, especially given the apparent hate crime dimension of the incident. Shushakova, originally from Uzbekistan, relayed that even al Jabali's mother reached out to him. She apologized for her son's horrific actions and expressed relief at his incarceration, highlighting the family's distress over his repeated aggressive behaviors.
Al Jabali, now held without bail at Westchester County Jail, has not only caused physical harm but also stirred a broader discussion on intolerance and hate crimes within the community. “If he’s 34 years old, and he … just attacks people for no reason — and what? The jihad? He has to sit in jail because he tried to kill me," Shushakova noted regarding the attack motivations and his assailant’s mindset.
A recount of the physical struggle highlights Shushakova’s courage and quick thinking during the attack. “Thank God he didn’t touch my face because he tried to hit me in different ways. This is how I stopped him, with my hands,” Shushakova recalled. The attack, while severe, could have resulted in even more grave injuries had he not defended himself effectively.
In addition to recalling the events of the attack, Shushakova also noted the preceding behavior that day, indicating al Jabali was both aggressive and inebriated. Despite lacking the funds for his trim, Shushakova serviced him to avoid further conflict—an action that unfortunately did not stave off the ensuing violence.
The incident is a harrowing reminder of the tension that can escalate from ideological differences and the dangerous intersections of personal beliefs and violent actions. As Shushakova recovers, the legal processes unfolding will likely serve as a touchstone for discussions about hate crimes, mental health, and the importance of tolerance and safety in community spaces.
