Thug charged with hate crime after he brutally attacked Orthodox Jewish man at random in 'Knockout Game'

  • Amrit Marajh, 28, of Brooklyn, was arrested on charges of assault as a hate crime and aggravated harassment as a hate crime
  • He is alleged to have punched Shmuel Perl, an Orthodox Jewish man, in the face
  • Police are investigating if it was a so-called 'Knockout Game' assault, in which the object is to knock out an unsuspecting person with one punch

By David Mccormack and Associated Press Reporter

PUBLISHED: 18:38 EST, 24 November 2013 | UPDATED: 01:38 EST, 25 November 2013

New York City police have arrested a man on charges of assault as a hate crime after a 24-year-old Orthodox Jewish man was punched in the face.

Police are investigating whether it was part of a so-called ‘Knockout Game’ assault, in which the object is to knock out an unsuspecting person with one punch.

Amrit Marajh, 28, of Brooklyn, had just left a bar at around 2:45a.m. on Friday with three friends and was talking about boxing when the topic of the knockout game came up, police sources said.

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Victim Shmuel Pearl, left, pictured leaving the 66th precinct police station in Brooklyn on Friday and, right, his alleged attacker Amrit Marajh

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Shmuel Perl, 24, said that he overheard his alleged attackers daring each other to punch him out just before he was actually assaulted

His victim, Shmuel Perl, 24, has said that he overheard his alleged attackers daring each other to punch him out minutes before he was actually assaulted. Perl was stuck once, but wasn’t seriously injured.

Marajh was arrested on charges of assault as a hate crime and aggravated harassment as a hate crime and released after posting $750 bail. His three friends were taken into custody, but released without charge.

 

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Marajh's lawyer has denied that the attack had anything to do with the brutal game, but New York Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly said there was no question that the game was the motive for the attack, reports ABC.

'He makes a statement that he was punched in the side of the face,' Kelly said. 'He also makes a statement that just prior to it they were talking about the "Knockout Game".' 

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Marajh, right, was released on $750 bail for allegedly attacking Shmuel Perl, left, in the early hours of Friday morning

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Police are investigating similar recent incidents of 'Knockout Game' assaults, including ones in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

Police are investigating similar recent incidents, including in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. At least two deaths have been linked to the attacks this year.

New York City police have deployed additional officers to city neighborhoods where at least seven attacks occurred in the past few weeks, including an assault on a 78-year-old woman.

Authorities and psychologists say the 'Knockout Game’ assaults have been around for decades - or longer - and it's played mostly by impulsive teenage boys looking to impress their friends.

Video: 'Knockout Game' Suspect Charged With Hate Crime

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Another tale of violence and racism by progressive, liberal Democrat voters.

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"Hate crime" designation always seems wrong to me. A crime is an action, not a thought. This knockout game is sick and cowardly.

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Good

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All random acts of violence are hate crimes and no criminal act or act of violence should be described as a game!

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A game played by cowards who dare not approach an aware individual. Let's go and knock out an old lady, a weak person, someone who is not looking. Disgusting and cowardly!

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I'm not shocked who the suspect is. I am shocked that I still live in Hell on earth.

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Arm yourself and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Empty the clip if you have to.

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Eric holder won't prosecute one of "his people"

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It's no coincidence that these crimes are happening for the most part in cities/states where concealed carry is very difficult to obtain. Criminals prefer unarmed victims. It just ruins their day when they take on someone who can and does use deadly force to defend themselves.

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Betcha they drop the hate crime charge and just charge him with simple battery or assault.

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