Man who allegedly fired shotgun outside Jewish temple faces federal charges

The man who was arrested Thursday and accused of firing a shotgun on the steps of a synagogue in Albany, N.Y., was charged with illegal gun possession, the FBI announced.

Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, 28, fired a shotgun twice outside of Temple Israel on Thursday afternoon, Albany police said. Nobody was injured in the shooting. 

Albany police said a witness heard Alkhader shout, “Free Palestine,” after firing the shots. He later told police he was “severely impacted” by events in the Middle East.

The incident occurred on the first night of Hanukkah and is being investigated as a potential hate crime, Albany police said.

He is scheduled to appear in court Friday.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said she directed local and state police to be on high alert for antisemitic violence. 

“Any act of antisemitism is unacceptable and undermines the public safety at our synagogues, [and on] the first night of Hanukkah is even more deplorable,” she said at a Thursday press conference. “Thankfully, at this time, no one was injured in this incident.”

Synagogue leaders were shocked at the incident.

“After this press conference, we’re going to be lighting Hanukkah candles — because we need light in darkness,” Temple Israel Rabbi Wendy Love Anderson said.