Huntington, NY – A Huntington man was arrested after allegedly threatening to kill four Muslim men and ramming his vehicle into theirs in a shocking hate-fueled attack, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney announced.
The incident occurred on June 17, 2024, at approximately 9:00 a.m. as four Muslim men, dressed in traditional attire, were stopped at a red light on their way to a mosque. Brendan Marchetti, 35, who was stopped at the same light, allegedly shouted at the men that he wanted to kill all Muslims, that all Muslims should die, and that he wanted to blow them up. Marchetti then allegedly drove his vehicle into the side of their car, causing over $1,500 in damage.
As the victims attempted to flee, Marchetti allegedly tried to strike their car a second time. Fearing for their lives, the men immediately called 911 and reported Marchetti’s license plate to the police. Authorities located Marchetti and his vehicle at an auto body shop shortly thereafter and transported him to a hospital for mental health treatment.
On July 17, 2024, Marchetti was arraigned before District Court Judge Rosann Orlando on several charges:
- Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, as a Hate Crime, a Class C felony
- Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, as a Hate Crime, a Class E felony
- Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, as a Hate Crime, a Class A misdemeanor
The District Attorney’s Office requested that Marchetti be placed on supervised release with GPS monitoring and mental health conditions, which the judge in the case granted.
“Hate in any form has no place in Suffolk County, and those who perpetrate such acts will face the full force of the law,” said District Attorney Tierney.
