Teaneck Hammer Attack Labeled Antisemitic By Congressman

TEANECK, NJ — A hammer-wielding, Teaneck man smashed the windows of a pediatrician's office and a dry cleaners on Sunday, an attack that U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer says was antisemitic.

Teaneck police responded to several 911 calls on Sunday, September 12 that a “man wielding a hammer” had entered an office complex at 870 Palisades Ave. and smashed in the windows of Riverside Pediatrics. When officers arrived, they found patients and medical staff barricaded inside the doctor’s office.

An NBC report revealed that a woman, Jill Gordan, and her daughter were exiting the bathroom in Riverside Pediatrics when they encountered Cole.

"I open the door and there’s a man in front of me with blood dripping down his arm, holding a hammer and he says, 'are you Jewish?' And I thought, I’m not answering that question and I slammed the door and locked it," Gordon told NBC on Monday.

Gordon said she believed the attack was motivated by hate, especially because it took place in a heavily Jewish-populated area. Cole has been arrested on account of aggravated assault, weapons possession, criminal mischief and harassment — none of them being a hate crime.

Teaneck police didn't have an update about the attack on Wednesday, but did confirm to Patch that Cole asked a person inside the office complex if they were Jewish.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer tweeted in response to the NBC article:

Gottheimer told NBC, "Imagine someone coming after you with a hammer with blood dripping from it and asking you if you’re Jewish? That’s why we need to investigate this and see it through."

After the chaos of the attack, one injury was reported: a receptionist at the office was hit in the nose with a glass shard, due to the window shattering, causing a laceration.

Officers eventually found Cole smashing the front window of Parisian Cleaners at 429 Cedar Lane. According to police, officers said Cole showed “indications indicative of mental illness” and was transported to a local hospital for treatment and evaluation.

Once cleared from Holy Name Medical Center, Cole will be transferred under custody of the Bergen County Sheriff Department pending a first appearance in superior court.