Florida man indicted for federal hate crimes in attempted mass shooting targeting Jews at AIPAC

A federal grand jury in Florida has indicted a 27-year-old man on hate crime and firearm charges for allegedly attempting a mass shooting targeting Jews at an AIPAC office.

Forrest Kendall Pemberton is accused of arming himself with an AR-15 equipped with a silencer and traveling to the pro-Israel group's office on December 23, 2024. According to the US Department of Justice, he targeted the employees because they were Jewish.

Pemberton also allegedly told law enforcement that he targeted AIPAC for political reasons, stating he wanted to "see if I could make a change" to the "status quo." He was arrested on December 25 after law enforcement observed him entering a vehicle with a rifle case. Authorities confiscated three guns and ammunition from him.

The indictment includes charges of attempted hate crime, using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a short-barreled rifle. Pemberton faces potential life in prison for the attempted hate crime, 30 years for the firearm offense, and up to five years for possessing the short-barreled rifle. The FBI and local police departments are continuing their investigation into the case.