Man admits to charges for firing gun outside Albany synagogue in 2023
A man who fired a gun outside an Albany synagogue in 2023 pleaded guilty on Tuesday.
Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, 29, of Schenectady, admitted to civil rights and firearm charges.
Alkhader walked up to the front steps of Temple Israel on New Scotland Avenue, fired into the air and shouted “Free Palestine.” He then tried to remove an Israeli flag.
A day care inside the temple was forced into lockdown, and a Hanukkah celebration set for later that evening was briefly delayed.
No one was hurt.
Alkhader also admitted that he conspired with another person who lied about who the gun was for when making the purchase.
Alkhader is due to be sentenced on June 6. He faces 7 years to life in prison, and up to five years of post-release supervision.
Rabbi Wendy Love Anderson of Temple Israel sent this statement to NewsChannel 13:
“This difficult incident has not changed Temple Israel’s commitment to inviting families, friends, and neighbors into our space. While we have increased our security, we are holding firm to our values and to the spirit of welcome.”