A Dearborn, Michigan man, Hassan Chokr, has been handed a 34-month prison sentence for the illegal possession of firearms, following his antisemitic outburst at a local synagogue. United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr., together with Reuben Coleman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Detroit Division, made the announcement of the sentence, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan reported.
Documented in court records, the incident occurred in December 2022 when Chokr aggressively confronted Jewish parents and their preschool children at a Bloomfield Hills synagogue. Engaging in a tirade filled with antisemitic slurs, Chokr was seen to aggressively condemn the parents' support for Israel and issued threats implying they would eventually "pay." After being told to leave, Chokr was later found to be in possession of a shotgun, a rifle, and a pistol while at a gun store in Dearborn, evidently attempting to immediately purchase the weapons. Amidst this attempt, Chokr falsely indicated on the paperwork that he had no felony convictions, despite having been previously convicted of a felony offense, which effectively halted the purchase following a background check, as per the press release.
In the wake of the incident, authorities responded with a clear message. "Chokr’s sickening antisemitic threats and his apparent attempt to make good on them with guns are part of an alarming pattern of violence against believers. And we will do everything in our power to fight against this hatred and to protect the American family and their right to worship God without fear," United States Attorney Gorgon stated in the press release.
The case against Hassan Chokr was the result of coordinated efforts by multiple law enforcement agencies. Authorities reiterated their policy of zero tolerance for threats against the public and highlighted their ongoing efforts to ensure community safety in Michigan. The FBI’s Oakland County Resident Agency, the Dearborn Police Department, the Bloomfield Township Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office were involved in bringing the case to a conclusion.
