New York City, New York — A longtime UPS delivery worker is being recognized after helping police locate a man accused of carrying out two separate stabbings on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, including an attack on a Jewish man leaving a synagogue.
George Zamot, a 49-year-old Bronx native and father of three, was making a delivery on July 23 when he encountered Raul Morales, 51, shortly after Morales allegedly attacked two men within minutes of each other.
Zamot later recalled a tense encounter with Morales that left him stunned, but he managed to remember where the suspect went and provided crucial information to police.
Delivery Worker Witnessed One of the Attacks
According to Zamot’s account, he was near Amsterdam Avenue and West 86th Street when he saw Moshe Grunhaus, 50, suffering from a stab wound to his chest. Grunhaus, who was wearing a kippah after leaving a synagogue, had reportedly been attacked with a screwdriver.
Police allege Morales had already stabbed a 57-year-old Asian man in the back minutes earlier near West 84th Street and Central Park West.
Zamot said he immediately realized Grunhaus needed help.
“I looked and Moshe Grunhaus was grabbing on his chest,” Zamot, 49, told.
He said Grunhaus asked someone to call 911 because:
“‘the gentleman in the black hoodie had just stabbed me.’”
After seeing the injured man and realizing the attacker had fled, Zamot decided to follow Morales.
Zamot Followed the Suspect for Several Blocks
Zamot said he began trailing Morales at a distance for approximately two to three blocks. The delivery worker acknowledged that he did not know what Morales might do next.
“I didn’t know what he was going to do at this point,” Zamont admitted. “I just knew he couldn’t do that again. I was ready to do whatever I had to do.”
The decision put Zamot in a potentially dangerous situation, but he continued watching the suspect as Morales eventually entered a NYCHA apartment building.
What happened next brought Zamot unexpectedly close to the man he believed had just carried out the attack.
Suspect Told Him “Have a Great Day”
Inside the apartment building, Zamot found himself in the same elevator as Morales. According to Zamot, another passenger exited on the third floor, while Morales continued to the 11th floor.
When Morales stepped out, he allegedly looked at Zamot and said:
“Have a great day,”
Zamot said he could only stare at him in disbelief.
“I just looked at him in total amazement.”
Despite the unsettling encounter, Zamot had managed to take note of Morales’ apartment number.
He then provided the information to the NYPD.
Police Arrested Morales After Standoff
Officers eventually surrounded the apartment and confronted Morales. After a nearly hour-long standoff, police were able to take him into custody.
Prosecutors later said investigators uncovered evidence that Morales held antisemitic views, adding another dimension to the investigation into the July attacks.
The alleged attacks had left two men injured, with the circumstances surrounding the assault on Grunhaus drawing particular attention because he was targeted after leaving a synagogue.
Zamot Says He Was Thinking About Another Family
Despite the attention surrounding his actions, Zamot said he had kept his role relatively quiet.
“My mother only found out today,” Zamot said Wednesday before speaking at the UJA-Federation of New York’s Rally to Stop Anti-Semitism in Midtown Manhattan.
When asked why he continued following Morales, Zamot explained that he was thinking about what could happen if the suspect attacked someone else.
“One way or the other, he wasn’t gonna be able to do this to anybody else’s child. Because that’s how I see it.”
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Zamot said he also thought about Grunhaus’ mother, whom he later learned was alive and living in Israel.
“There’s no way I was gonna let another mom just lose their child and live in agony for the rest of their lives,” Zamot said.
Grunhaus Calls Him a Hero
At the Midtown rally, Zamot encouraged New Yorkers to stand against hatred and urged people to “be the thing that hate crimes cannot operate around.”
His actions also earned heartfelt praise from Grunhaus himself.
In a prerecorded message played for Zamot, Grunhaus thanked the delivery worker who helped make sure police could locate the suspect.
“New York City is a safer place because of you. New York City is a better place because of you,” Grunhaus said.
He then added:
“The world is a better place because of you.”
Zamot’s actions have since become a reminder of how quickly an ordinary delivery route can turn into a dangerous situation—and how a witness’s decision to pay attention and contact police can provide critical information during an active investigation.
What do you think about Zamot’s actions during the frightening encounter? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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