Who Is Mufid Alkhader? Albany Synagogue Shooting Suspect

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Giulia Carbonaro is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. Her focus is on the U.S. economy, housing market, property insurance market, local and national politics. She has previously extensively covered U.S. and European politics. Giulia joined Newsweek in 2022 from CGTN Europe and had previously worked at the European Central Bank. She is a graduate in Broadcast Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and holds a Bachelor's degree in Politics and International Relations from Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Italy. She speaks English, Italian, and a little French and Spanish. You can get in touch with Giulia by emailing: g.carbonaro@newsweek.com.

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The suspect who allegedly opened fire outside of a synagogue in Albany, New York, on Thursday was identified as 28-year-old Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, according to federal officials.

Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins said during a press conference that nobody was injured in the attack outside Temple Israel on Thursday afternoon, where a man—now identified as Alkhader—fired two shots with a shotgun at the synagogue. According to witnesses, the man was making threatening statements while firing his weapon, as reported by CBS News.

"We were told by responding officers that he made a comment, 'Free Palestine,'" Hawkins said. Alkhader, who had fled the scene of the incident after allegedly firing his weapon, has since been arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, FBI spokesperson Sarah Ruane told NBC News.

Menorah
A view of the annual National Menorah Lighting ceremony, on the Ellipse south of the White House December 7, 2023 in Washington, DC. A man who opened fire against a synagogue in Albany, New York,... Drew Angerer/Getty Images

"Thanks to the swift coordination between the ATF, FBI, and our partners at Albany Police Department and New York State Police, Mufid Fawaz Alkhader has been arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person," FBI Albany wrote in an update published on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"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."

Who is Mufid Alkhader?

Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, a resident of Schenectady, New York, is a U.S. citizen who was born in Iraq.

As well as shouting "Free Palestine," he allegedly said that "events in the Middle East have impacted him," according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco & Explosives task force.

According to Hawkins, the incident is being investigated as a hate crime, though the charges against Alkhader aren't clear yet. Hawkins said that Alkhader said he was feeling victimized. The building of the Temple of Israel, which was formed in the merging of two pre-existing synagogues in 1949, was not damaged during the shooting, according to the official.

Newsweek contacted the Temple of Israel and Albany Police for comment by email on Friday.

Alkhader is currently being held in custody. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that Alkhader has a "rap sheet" but did not comment on the suspect's criminal history.

Mufid Fawaz Alkhader identified as Albany Shooter
Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, a U.S. citizen born in Iraq, fired a shotgun outside the synagogue in Albany, New York. Albany County Sheriff's Office

Thursday was the first night of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. As the holiday is ongoing, Hochul said that police in the state of New York have been put on high alert.

"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," she wrote in an official statement.

"This builds on the significant efforts we have taken to protect religious communities in the wake of the October 7 attacks. Make no mistake: the safety of Jewish New Yorkers is non-negotiable."

Update, 12/8/23 8:30 a.m. ET: This breaking news story was updated to include more background information.

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About the writer

Giulia Carbonaro is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. Her focus is on the U.S. economy, housing market, property insurance market, local and national politics. She has previously extensively covered U.S. and European politics. Giulia joined Newsweek in 2022 from CGTN Europe and had previously worked at the European Central Bank. She is a graduate in Broadcast Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and holds a Bachelor's degree in Politics and International Relations from Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Italy. She speaks English, Italian, and a little French and Spanish. You can get in touch with Giulia by emailing: g.carbonaro@newsweek.com.

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Giulia Carbonaro is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. Her focus is on the U.S. economy, housing market, property ... Read more