A New York man was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Tuesday for firing a shotgun outside an Albany synagogue to disrupt Hanukkah services in 2023, the US Justice Department announced.
Schenectady resident Mufid Fawaz Alkhader had pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally purchase a firearm through a representative, obstructing the free exercise of religious practices with a weapon, and brandishing a firearm with the intention of further criminal violence.
The 29-year-old had traveled to Temple Israel by Uber on December 7 and approached the house of worship’s entrance with a Kel-Tec 12-gauge pump shotgun. Alkhader fired the firearm twice into the air while shouting, “Free Palestine!”
Struck with terror during Hanukkah
He attempted to fire again, but the ammunition jammed, so he instead tried to tear down an Israeli flag from a flagpole. The incident resulted in the cancellation of a concert and a Hanukkah candle lighting to celebrate the Jewish holiday.
FBI Albany Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli said that the Temple Israel congregation was struck with terror as they were preparing for the first night of Hanukkah.
“We hope this sentence can play an important part in the community’s continued healing process but can also serve as a notice that violence, especially borne from hate, will not be tolerated by the FBI,” Tremaroli said in a press release.
New York Northern District Acting US Attorney John Sarcone III said that the shooting was “emblematic of the antisemitic violence, rhetoric, and practices that have swept this country over the last few years.”
“This year, the Justice Department has emphatically said – through its words and actions – no more. My office, with our law enforcement partners, will do everything within our power to make sure everyone in the Northern District of New York can exercise their right to practice their religion without fear of violence and hatred,” Sarcone said in a press statement.
The Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York said Wednesday that the sentencing showed that the community would stand up to antisemitism, and that it was important not to allow anti-Jewish animus to become mainstream.
"We are grateful that no one was hurt and appreciative of the Albany Police Department and other law enforcement agencies that worked in concert with our elected officials to handle this incident swiftly and appropriately," said JFENY. We continue to work to educate our community about Jewish values, Zionism and the situation in Israel while we all pray for the return of the hostages and for a lasting and secure peace.”
Another New York man, Andrew Miller, was also sentenced to 14 months in prison and three years of supervised release in October for falsely purchasing the shotgun for Alkhader.
The 38-year-old Schenectady resident conspired with Alkhader, purchasing the weapon on his behalf, under the belief that Alkhader could not lawfully purchase the firearm. Miller lied when filling out the transaction record in November 2023 that he was the purchaser of the firearm.
A day after the purchase, the weapon was transferred to Alkhader.
ATF New York Field Division Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller said in a Tuesday statement that Alkhader’s sentence reflected “our commitment to stopping those who unlawfully obtain firearms to cause fear and chaos in our communities.”
The 2023 incident, which came in the wake of the October 7 Massacre, drew outrage from New York officials. Governor Kathy Hochul said at the time that her administration would assure the safety of Jewish residents.
“The prospect of violence in a place of worship is not just an attack on the building. It’s an attack on the very fabric of our society, our freedom to express our faith, and our collective shared sense of safety,” Hochul said the day of the attack.
Temple Israel did not immediately respond for comment about the sentencing.