Schenectady Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime in Albany Synagogue Shooting Incident
It is reported that the man traveled by rideshare to Temple Israel in Albany. Upon arrival, he reportedly fired two rounds from a shotgun into the air while shouting “Free Palestine!”
Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, 29, of Schenectady, pleaded guilty on Monday to multiple charges related to an incident outside an Albany synagogue in December 2023. Alkhader admitted to obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs through threats of force, brandishing a firearm during the commission of this offense, and conspiring to unlawfully purchase a firearm.
According to court documents, on December 7, 2023, Alkhader traveled by rideshare from his residence to Temple Israel in Albany. Upon arrival, he reportedly discharged two rounds from a shotgun into the air while shouting “Free Palestine!” He then attempted to remove an Israeli flag from a flagpole outside the synagogue before leaving the scene. Alkhader was apprehended shortly after by Albany Police officers.
The incident occurred while a daycare was operating inside Temple Israel, prompting a lockdown. Planned Hanukkah celebrations were also disrupted, with congregants expressing fear about returning to the synagogue following the event.
Alkhader also admitted to participating in a straw purchase scheme to acquire the firearm used in the incident. In November 2023, he conspired with Andrew Miller to purchase a Kel-Tec KS7 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. Miller, who falsely claimed to be the purchaser, bought the firearm from a federally licensed dealer in Albany and later transferred it to Alkhader. Miller has since pleaded guilty to charges related to the illegal purchase and was sentenced to 14 months in prison.
Alkhader has been in federal custody since his arrest. His sentencing is scheduled for June 6, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, with the potential for a life sentence, and up to five years of supervised release following his imprisonment.