Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, a 29-year-old resident of Schenectady, New York, has pled guilty to charges related to a hate crime involving shots fired outside an Albany synagogue. The charges include obstructing religious beliefs through threats of force, brandishing a firearm during the offense, and conspiring to unlawfully purchase a firearm. Alkhader was arrested on December 7, 2023, and has been held in federal custody since.
The incident occurred when Alkhader traveled by Uber from his home to Temple Israel in Albany. Upon arrival, he discharged two rounds into the air with a shotgun while shouting “Free Palestine.” He then attempted to remove an Israeli flag before leaving the scene. Albany Police officers arrested him shortly afterward.
United States Attorney Carla Freedman stated: “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.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli commented on Alkhader’s plea: “Mr. Alkhader’s plea confirms his deliberate and premeditated intentions... Thanks to the swift actions of the Temple Israel community and our law enforcement partners, justice has been served.”
Alkhader's actions forced a daycare within Temple Israel into lockdown and disrupted Hanukkah celebrations planned by the community. Additionally, he admitted that Andrew Miller helped him obtain the shotgun used in the incident by making false representations at a firearms dealer.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller remarked: “This guilty plea shows accountability for unlawfully obtaining a firearm... By stopping those who seek to use firearms to threaten and intimidate others..."
Albany Police Chief Brendan Cox reassured: “The Albany Police Department wants to reassure the community that these incidents are taken very seriously...”
Sentencing is set for June 6, 2025. Alkhader faces between seven years up to life imprisonment with possible supervised release post-imprisonment for up to five years. The case was investigated by multiple agencies including FBI Albany Field Office and ATF.
Andrew Miller also pled guilty for his role in acquiring the firearm for Alkhader and received a sentence of 14 months imprisonment.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Belliss and Alexander Wentworth-Ping prosecuted alongside Trial Attorneys Jennifer Levy and Trevor Kempner from different divisions of the Department of Justice.
