A 29-year-old man pleaded responsible to federal expenses Tuesday for firing a shotgun outdoors an upstate New York synagogue in the course of the early months of the Israel-Hamas struggle.
Mufid Fawaz Alkhader was arrested in December 2023 after firing two pictures within the air and shouting “Free Palestine!” outdoors Temple Israel of Albany. Alkhader’s shotgun jammed earlier than he might hearth a 3rd time. The Iraqi-born U.S. citizen was arrested quickly after and complained about occasions within the Center East, in response to federal prosecutors.
The gunfire in New York’s capital metropolis occurred on the primary evening of Hanukkah and two months after the shock incursion by Hamas triggered the struggle. Nobody was injured, however 61 kids attending preschool sheltered in place whereas police searched the realm. Prosecutors mentioned Alkhader took a ride-share car to the temple from his residence in close by Schenectady.
Beneath a cope with prosecutors, Alkhader pleaded responsible to obstructing the free train of spiritual beliefs by menace of drive, brandishing a firearm in the course of the fee of that offense and conspiring to buy a firearm unlawfully.
“The defendant’s violent, antisemitic and terrifying act targeted the Temple Israel congregation, the larger Jewish community, and the right of every person to practice their religion without fear of violence,” U.S. Lawyer Carla Freedman mentioned in a ready assertion.
Alkhader, sporting orange jail garments, mentioned little in court docket past coming into his pleas and responding to a collection of questions from the decide with “yes” or “no” solutions.
Federal prosecutors initially charged Alkhader with possession of a firearm by a prohibited particular person — a cost authorities mentioned was associated to his admitted use of marijuana. He was later charged with conspiracy to make a false assertion in the course of the buy of a firearm.
One other man was sentenced in October to 14 months in jail for making a “straw” buy of the shotgun for Alkhader.
Alkhader, who’s being held within the county jail, faces not less than 7 years and as much as life in jail when he’s sentenced June 6.
A gaggle of individuals from the temple attended the court docket continuing and declined to remark as they left.
