Man gets 10 years for shooting outside Albany synagogue

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A federal judge sentenced the man who fired a gun outside Albany's Temple Israel in 2023. Federal court officials said Mufid Fawaz Alkhader received a sentence of 10 years in state prison for the shooting.

Alkhader pleaded guilty to the shooting in January for obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by threatening force, brandishing a firearm, and conspiring to purchase a firearm unlawfully. Between October and December 2023, Andrew Miller bought the gun for Alkhader, as he believed an order of protection prohibited him from purchasing one.

Alkhader fired two shots in the air on the stairs outside Temple Israel, yelling Free Palestine. Court records showed he stopped shooting after his gun became jammed, and then tried to tear down an Israeli flag that was outside the synagogue. This all happened on Dec. 7, 2023, just hours before the first night of Hannukah.

In court on Tuesday, two members of Temple Israel Elin Shaddox and Rachel Mandel, read victim impact statements. They shared messages about the fear Alkhader caused on that day, and each day following.

Alkhader's attorney Tim Austin argued that Alkhader was suffering a severe mental health crisis at the time of the shooting. Alkhader later addressed the court and apologized. He shared messages like, "I'm sorry for making people afraid," and "I promise I will be a better person."

Saint Peter's Hospital and the Synagogue's daycare were put on lockdown for over an hour after the shooting. Court documents showed about 61 children and 15 staff members were inside the temple at the time of the shooting, but luckily no one was hurt. In addition to prison time, Alkhader was also sentenced to five years of probation.