Michigan: Muslim man pleads guilty to firearm charge after making threats to kill Jewish preschool children

Image: Jihad Watch

In a disturbing case that highlights the intersection of hate speech, firearm violations, and threats against a religious community, a Dearborn man has pleaded guilty to a serious federal gun charge following a string of antisemitic actions that shocked a Michigan suburb.

On Tuesday, Hassan Chokr, a resident of Dearborn, entered a guilty plea to the federal charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. This charge stems from events that unfolded on December 2, 2022, when Chokr reportedly carried out a hateful verbal attack against members of Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan — a congregation that houses a preschool attended by young children.

According to federal and local authorities, Chokr stood outside the synagogue and spewed antisemitic and racist threats, directing them at Jewish parents, their children, and security personnel stationed at the site. Witnesses reported that his language was not only deeply offensive but threatening, evoking fear among those present and prompting swift involvement from law enforcement.

Oakland County initially charged Chokr with ethnic intimidation, a felony in Michigan that addresses hate-motivated verbal threats or actions. However, the case took a darker and more concerning turn when federal agents discovered what he did immediately after his verbal assault.

After leaving the synagogue, Chokr reportedly drove to a gun store in Dearborn, where he attempted to purchase multiple firearms. Surveillance footage and witness accounts revealed that he handled several guns and filled out a federal background check form. Critically, authorities say he lied on that form — specifically failing to disclose his status as a convicted felon, which legally prohibits him from purchasing or possessing firearms.

While waiting for the background check to process, Chokr allegedly made chilling remarks in the gun store. According to federal investigators, he talked about "evening the score" and declared that he would use the guns to carry out "God’s wrath." Such comments, paired with his earlier actions, raised urgent alarms among law enforcement about his intentions and mental state.

This incident unfolded amid a broader national context in which antisemitism has been on the rise. In recent years, the United States has seen an increase in hate crimes targeting Jewish communities, with synagogues, schools, and cultural centers becoming targets of harassment, vandalism, and even mass violence. According to the Anti-Defamation League, 2022 marked the highest number of reported antisemitic incidents since the organization began tracking such data in 1979.

Temple Beth El, one of the oldest and most prominent Jewish congregations in Michigan, has been known for its active engagement in interfaith dialogue and education. The fact that such a hate-driven outburst occurred outside its preschool shocked many across the region and reaffirmed the vulnerability that Jewish communities — especially visibly Jewish institutions — continue to face.

Chokr’s guilty plea now brings the federal portion of the case closer to resolution. Under U.S. law, being a felon in possession of a firearm is a serious federal offense that can carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years, depending on the circumstances and prior criminal history. The outcome of his sentencing will be closely watched by both law enforcement and community leaders who hope to see justice served — not only for the crime of unlawful gun possession but also for the deep sense of fear and trauma inflicted on innocent families that day.

While the legal process moves forward, the broader societal questions remain: How can communities better identify and respond to warning signs of hate-motivated violence? And what steps must be taken to ensure that places of worship and early education remain sanctuaries, not targets?

This case is a sobering reminder that hate speech, when combined with access to weapons, can escalate quickly into potentially deadly situations. It underscores the importance of rigorous background checks, proactive community policing, and the urgent need to confront extremism in all its forms — before hateful words turn into irreversible acts.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)