A man has pled guilty to US federal charges for firing a shotgun outside an upstate New York synagogue during the early months of the Israel-Hamas war.

Mufid Fawaz Alkhader was arrested in December 2023 after shots were fired outside Temple Israel of Albany. The Iraqi-born US citizen said �Free Palestine� when officers arrested him and later told investigators that he felt affected by events in the Middle East, according to police officials and court filings.

The gunfire in New York�s capital city happened on the first night of Hanukkah and two months after the October 7 Hamas onslaught that triggered the war. No one was injured, but children attending preschool sheltered in place while police searched the area.

Under a deal with prosecutors, Alkhader, 29, has pleaded guilty to obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force, brandishing a firearm during the commission of that offense, and conspiring to purchase a firearm unlawfully.

Federal prosecutors initially charged Alkhader with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person � a charge authorities said was related to his admitted use of marijuana. He was later charged with conspiracy to make a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.

Alkhader is being held in the county jail, according to online records. Alkhader faces at least 7 years and up to life in prison when he is sentenced on June 6.

(AP)