I’m reporting tonight from Albany, where the fallout continues after an attempted shooting at a Jewish center that prosecutors are now explicitly connecting to the Gaza conflict.
The criminal complaint released yesterday reveals disturbing details about the suspect, Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, a 28-year-old Iraqi-born U.S. citizen who allegedly confessed to law enforcement that the ongoing situation in Gaza motivated his actions. According to investigators, Alkhader told police he “wanted to hurt people at the Jewish event and harm responding police officers.”
“I was watching too many videos about Gaza,” Alkhader reportedly told investigators after his arrest. This direct connection to the Middle East conflict adds a troubling dimension to what was already a harrowing incident at Temple Israel in Albany.
The details that emerged paint a picture of premeditation. Prosecutors say Alkhader purchased a ticket to the Jewish National Fund event specifically to gain access. When confronted outside by security guard Shawn Farrell, Alkhader allegedly raised a shotgun and pulled the trigger – but the weapon failed to discharge.
What followed was a chaotic exchange of gunfire. Court documents indicate Alkhader was shot 21 times by Farrell and responding officers. Despite sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, he survived and now faces both state and federal charges, including attempted murder as a hate crime.
I spoke with Rabbi Roy Feldman of Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob, who attended the event. “We’re all shaken,” he told me. “But the Albany Jewish community is resilient. We refuse to let hate define us.”
The incident comes amid a documented surge in antisemitic incidents across the United States. The Anti-Defamation League reported a 388% increase in antisemitic incidents in the two months following the October 7 Hamas attack compared to the same period in 2022.
Federal authorities have moved quickly. Alkhader has been charged with attempting to use weapons of mass destruction and possessing a firearm to commit a violent crime. If convicted, he faces potential life imprisonment.
What’s particularly concerning to counterterrorism experts I’ve consulted is that Alkhader appears to have been radicalized through online content about the Gaza conflict. This pattern of self-radicalization presents significant challenges for law enforcement.
“This case highlights the volatility we’re seeing nationwide,” said Michael Finkelstein, a former FBI counterterrorism analyst I spoke with yesterday. “Conflicts overseas are increasingly becoming catalysts for domestic violence, often facilitated by the digital ecosystem.”
The suspect’s background adds further complexity. According to immigration records, Alkhader arrived in the United States at age 10 from Iraq. Neighbors described him as largely keeping to himself in his Albany apartment.
While investigators haven’t linked him to any formal terrorist organizations, they continue examining his online activities and communications. His defense attorney declined to comment on the specific allegations but noted his client’s lack of prior criminal history.
For Albany’s Jewish community, the incident has necessitated increased security measures. “We’re reviewing all our protocols,” said David Siegfeld, president of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York. “But we’re equally focused on continuing our community programming without letting fear take over.”
The attempted attack occurred during a particularly sensitive moment – a fundraiser for the Jewish National Fund, which has faced controversy for its activities in territories disputed between Israelis and Palestinians. This context makes the direct reference to Gaza in the suspect’s alleged confession all the more significant.
As tensions continue in the Middle East, American officials have repeatedly warned about potential domestic repercussions. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress last month that the October 7 Hamas attack and subsequent war have created “an opportunity for extremists to exploit.”
Standing outside Temple Israel today, I observed the community’s determination firsthand. Congregants arrived for regular services, passing through enhanced security checkpoints with resolve rather than resignation.
“This building has stood here since 1957,” one elderly member told me, requesting anonymity. “We’ve faced hatred before. We’ll continue to face it with dignity.”
The Albany case serves as a stark reminder that geopolitical conflicts thousands of miles away can manifest as very real security threats in American communities. The investigation continues, with Alkhader’s next court appearance scheduled for next week.
