New York Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime for Firing Gun Outside Synagogue

Mufid Fawaz Alkhader admitted to targeting Temple Israel in Albany during Hanukkah, facing at least seven years in prison.

Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, 29, pleaded guilty to civil rights and firearm charges for firing a shotgun outside Temple Israel in Albany, New York, in December 2023.
The incident occurred on the first night of Hanukkah, with Alkhader shouting 'Free Palestine' and attempting to remove an Israeli flag from the synagogue's premises.
Alkhader's actions forced a daycare operating inside the synagogue into lockdown and disrupted Hanukkah celebrations, leaving congregants fearful of returning to worship.
Alkhader and an accomplice, Andrew Miller, conspired to unlawfully purchase the shotgun used in the incident; Miller was previously sentenced to 14 months in prison for his role.
Alkhader faces a minimum of seven years and up to life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for June 6, 2025.