Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, Possessing a Firearm as a Prohibited Person, New York 2023

ALBANY, N.Y. – A brazen act of gun violence near a place of worship has landed a Schenectady man in federal custody. Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, age 28, is now facing a second firearms charge after allegedly firing a shotgun into the air outside Temple Israel on December 7th. The incident, which sent ripples of fear through the Albany community, is being aggressively investigated by a multi-agency task force.

According to an amended criminal complaint, Alkhader was caught red-handed at approximately 2 p.m., openly brandishing a Kel-Tec KS7 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. Witnesses reported he discharged the weapon twice into the air before being apprehended by responding Albany Police Officers. The initial charge of possessing a firearm as a prohibited person has now been expanded to include conspiracy to make a false statement during the purchase of that same weapon.

Federal prosecutors allege Alkhader knew he was legally barred from owning a firearm due to his admitted use of marijuana. Undeterred, he allegedly orchestrated a straw purchase. Roughly a month prior to the shooting, Alkhader provided funds to a friend – $599.99 to be exact – to purchase the shotgun on his behalf from a licensed firearms dealer in Albany County. This friend then allegedly lied on the required ATF Form 4473, falsely claiming he was the intended owner.

The scheme wasn’t just about circumventing the law; it was a deliberate attempt to mislead federal authorities. The form specifically asks if the purchaser is buying the firearm for another person, warning that doing so is a federal crime. By checking “no,” the friend knowingly participated in an illegal transaction, directly enabling Alkhader’s access to a dangerous weapon. The ATF, FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, and Albany Police Department are working in concert to unravel the full scope of this conspiracy.

If convicted of the charges, Alkhader faces a hefty penalty: up to 20 years in federal prison, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000. The sentencing will be determined by a judge, taking into account federal sentencing guidelines and the specifics of the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Carla B. Freedman, is prosecuting the case with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rick Belliss and Alexander Wentworth-Ping at the helm.

While the charges are currently accusations, and Alkhader is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the evidence presented paints a disturbing picture. This case highlights the ongoing struggle to keep firearms out of the hands of those who pose a threat to public safety – and the lengths to which some will go to obtain them illegally. The investigation remains active, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.

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