Muslim man pleads guilty to firearm charges after planning to kill Jewish preschoolers at Michigan synagogue

On Wednesday, Hassan Chokr, 37, entered the guilty plea in federal court for being a felon in possession of firearms. The charge stems from a December 2022 incident in which Chokr handled multiple firearms at a Dearborn gun store just hours after aggressively confronting Jewish parents and their preschool children outside a Bloomfield Hills synagogue.

According to federal prosecutors, Chokr drove through the synagogue parking lot shouting profanities and hostile comments about Israel as families arrived for preschool drop-off. After being ordered to leave the premises, he traveled to a nearby gun store where he handled a Landor Arms 12-gauge shotgun, a Del-ton 5.56mm rifle, and a Glock 9mm pistol. Witnesses reported that he pointed the firearms and pulled the trigger while in the store.

Chokr attempted to purchase all three firearms, falsely stating on the background check form that he had never been convicted of a felony. In reality, he had a prior felony conviction, making it illegal for him to possess or purchase firearms. During the transaction, Chokr reportedly made disturbing comments, including threats to “even the score” and references to carrying out “God’s wrath.”

His attempted purchase was ultimately denied after a background check flagged his criminal history.

“This case underscores the urgent need to combat antisemitism and protect vulnerable communities,” said US Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. in a statement. “Chokr’s actions—targeting children and parents at a house of worship, then seeking to arm himself illegally—represent a chilling threat. We will not tolerate efforts to intimidate or terrorize our Jewish neighbors or any faith community.”

Chokr is scheduled to be sentenced on September 24, 2025, by US District Judge Jonathan JC Grey. He faces up to 15 years in federal prison.