Man who allegedly fired shots outside Albany synagogue, appears in federal court on firearm charge

The man accused of firing a shotgun outside of a synagogue in Albany appeared in federal court on Friday to face a firearm charge. Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, a 28-year-old Schenectady resident, allegedly fired two rounds into the air outside Temple Israel on Thursday, just before the start of Hanukkah. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident. Governor Kathy Hochul mentioned that there were two dozen children at an early childhood center on the premises at the time, but they were safely released to their families after a temporary lockdown. Alkhader could face up to 15 years in prison for unlawful firearm possession, as the complaint also hints at illegal marijuana use and violations of interstate commerce laws. Alkhader’s attorney declined to comment, and he was ordered to be detained pending trial during his court appearance.

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