QUEENS, N.Y. (VInnews) — A 42-year-old man carrying a hammer entered the grounds of a Jewish day camp in Queens on Tuesday after allegedly chasing a 19-year-old woman seeking refuge, prompting a confrontation with security that left an 8-year-old boy with a minor head injury, authorities and camp officials said.

The incident occurred around 10:50 a.m. at the Jewish Institute of Queens’ Lev & Olga Leviev Campus in Elmhurst, where Ohr Avner Day Camp was in session.

COMMUNITY UPDATE

At approximately 10:50 a.m. this morning*, Queens Shmira received a hotline call reporting an incident at a local camp in Queens. Shmira members responded within minutes alongside officers from the NYPD 112th Precinct.

Upon arrival, officers from the NYPD 112th… pic.twitter.com/pg9QQOjjXi

— Queens Shmira (@QBSPshmira) July 28, 2026

According to law enforcement sources, cited by the NY Post, the man made eye contact with the woman, who is not Jewish, near Hoffman Drive and Woodhaven Boulevard before following her. She ran into the Jewish Institute of Queens for safety, but the suspect allegedly attempted to follow her inside.

Earlier, the man had wandered onto the camp grounds, where children were playing under staff supervision, according to a letter sent to parents. Camp officials said he appeared to be emotionally disturbed, lay on the ground and asked for a drink of water. Staff members approached him while ensuring campers remained supervised.

A counselor noticed the man had a hammer beside him and calmly asked him to hand it over. The man complied without incident, the camp said.

As campers exited the building to board buses for a scheduled trip, the man suddenly attempted to force his way into the building, pushing through several children. A security officer identified only as Anthony immediately intervened and restrained the man until New York City police arrived.

During the struggle, an 8-year-old boy was accidentally knocked into a fence and suffered a cut to his head. He was taken to Long Island Jewish Hospital with injuries that authorities described as non-life-threatening.

Police recovered the hammer at the scene and took the suspect into custody. Charges were pending Tuesday afternoon.

Law enforcement sources said the suspect has 51 prior arrests, including an arrest last week for allegedly stealing about $1,300 worth of merchandise from Bergdorf Goodman. He had also been arrested earlier this month and in May on separate petit larceny and stolen property cases. Authorities said he has a history of mental health-related incidents and documented gang affiliation.

Investigators initially examined whether the incident could have been motivated by bias because it occurred at a Jewish institution. However, representatives of Queens Shmira, a volunteer public safety patrol that responded, said there was no indication the camp or its occupants were specifically targeted and described the suspect as an emotionally disturbed individual.

Camp officials likewise told parents that, based on the information available, the incident appeared to be random and that there was “absolutely no indication” the camp, its campers or staff were specifically targeted.

The camp said mental health professionals have been contacted to help support children who witnessed the incident and that staff are reviewing security procedures while evaluating additional safety measures.

“I am praying for the injured child, the college-aged woman who sought refuge, and everyone impacted by this frightening incident,” New York City Council Member Phil Wong said in a statement. “I am also grateful to the institute’s security personnel and the officers of the 112th Precinct for their swift actions in bringing this dangerous situation to an end.”