Last Thursday, December 7, 2023, afternoon, the police arrested a man for allegedly firing off a shotgun in the parking lot of a synagogue in Albany, New York.
According to Gov Kathy Hochul, the FBI has identified the suspect as Mufid Fawaz Alkhader. He is set to be charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
Alkhader would be appearing in the U.S. District Court in Albany on Friday. Thankfully, no one was reported injured when the shots were fired at the Temple Israel around 2:27 pm. The police were able to apprehend the suspect quickly after the incident.
Also, 28-year-old Alkhader reportedly waived his rights to have a lawyer present before making a statement. He explained to the police that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East had made him upset and that he uses marijuana regularly.
According to a criminal complaint released last Friday, Alkhader fired two rounds from a Kel-Tec KS7 12-gauge shotgun into the air at the Temple Israel parking lot.
Speaking at a news conference Last Thursday, Hochul said, “As we’ve talked about before, after the Oct. 7 attacks, I’ve ordered our state police as well as National Guard to be on high alert.” According to her, not only did the suspect fire his gun, but he also made threatening statements. Gov. Hochul also mentioned that Alkhader has a criminal history and is awaiting arraignment.
Furthermore, the FBI posted a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, thanking the ATF, Albany Police Department, and the New York State Police for swift coordination.
“Mufid Fawaz Alkhader has been arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. More information will be provided by the United States Attorney’s Office following an initial appearance scheduled for tomorrow at U.S. District Court in Albany,” the FBI said.
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As a result of the danger of a shooter in public, an early childhood center within the temple premises had to lock down to protect the kids. However, when the authorities said everywhere was clear, parents could pick up their kids. According to the governor, there is no other ongoing threat to be worried about.
Hochul spoke to the Rabbi of Temple Israel, Rabbi Wendy Love Anderson. The governor promised her that the security agencies would protect the temple and keep her congregation safe.
“And I remind everyone, as New Yorkers this is not who we are. This must stop. We reject hate, anti-Semitism [and] Islamophobia. All hate crimes must stop, and all violence in every form must cease,” Hochul said.
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Governor Hochul pointed out that there had been a bomb threat against the temple earlier in September. She also noted that the incident had occurred at an auspicious time for the Jewish community as they were marking the first eve of Hanukkah.
Hochul also put authorities on high alert for any possible attacks or threats during the Jewish holiday.
“I am immediately directing the New York State Police and New York National Guard to be on high alert and increase the existing patrols of at-risk sites we had planned for the Hanukkah holiday, including at synagogues, yeshivas and community centers, and working closely with local law enforcement,” Hochul said in a press release.
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