A suspect is under arrest after launching an unprovoked attack on a young child an incident that has left the entire community stunned and outraged.

Surveillance footage shows a group of children playing quietly on a residential street when a man walks by and, without saying a word, suddenly strikes one of the boys and throws his yarmulke to the ground. He then calmly continues walking as the children scatter in fear.

Terrified, the children ran to alert nearby adults. A call was placed to the Shomrim hotline. Volunteers responded within seconds, reviewed the surveillance footage, and quickly circulated the suspect’s description to fellow patrols and the NYPD.

While canvassing the area, one Shomrim volunteer spotted the suspect and immediately relayed his location to responding NYPD officers. The suspect was taken into custody shortly after.

The young victim, though thankfully not seriously injured, was visibly shaken. He is now home, safe with his family.