A new federal charge has been filed against a man accused of firing a shotgun into the air outside a synagogue in upstate New York.
By means ofThe Associated Press
December 11, 2023, 8:31 PM
ALBANY, N.Y. — A new federal indictment was filed Monday against a man accused of firing a shotgun into the air outside a synagogue in upstate New York.
Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, 28, was arrested Thursday after shots were fired outside Albany's Temple Israel. The Iraqi-born American citizen said “Free Palestine” as officers arrested him. He later told investigators that he felt affected by events in the Middle East, according to police officials and court documents.
Federal prosecutors initially charged Alkhader with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person — a charge authorities said was related to his admitted use of marijuana.
He was charged Monday with conspiracy to make a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. The new charges stem from the recent purchase of the shotgun authorities used in the shooting.
Alkhader believed he was ineligible to purchase a firearm due to a previous protective order, so he gave a friend money to buy the shotgun for him. The unidentified friend falsely indicated on a federal form that he was purchasing the firearm for himself, federal prosecutors said.
A call for comment from Alkhader's public defender was not returned Monday evening.
Alkhader is being held without bail.