Hassan Chokr, a Michigan resident, has pleaded guilty to federal firearms charges following a disturbing series of antisemitic threats and an attempted weapons purchase targeting a Jewish daycare.
Chokr, 35, admitted guilt on May 28 and now faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to federal officials, the incident began in December 2022 when Chokr, while out on bail, drove through the parking lot of Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills—just outside Detroit—shouting antisemitic threats at parents dropping off their children.
Shortly after, he went to a gun store in his hometown of Dearborn and tried to illegally buy three semiautomatic firearms: a Del-Ton AR-15-style rifle, a Landor Arms automatic shotgun, and a Glock pistol.
Chokr lied on the background check form, claiming he had no felony convictions or pending charges. In reality, he had a 2017 felony theft conviction and a pending charge for assault with a dangerous weapon, making him ineligible to purchase firearms. The transaction was blocked.
While waiting at the gun store, he allegedly told staff, “It ain’t a fair fight out here,” and added, “I’m going to even the score… even the playing field real soon brothers, real soon.” He also said he planned to use the weapons for “God’s wrath.”
U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. stated the attempted firearm purchase was likely tied to a broader plan targeting the Jewish community.
“We believe this was an effort to follow through on his menacing threats against parents and preschoolers as they walked into a place of worship,” Gorgon said.
Authorities also flagged disturbing social media content Chokr posted on Instagram. One message read:
“Your Jew tactics will only backfire on you, you have no place on this earth, Jew [expletive], Jew mother [expletives]. A storm is coming to wipe you all out of our lives.”
After his arrest, Chokr made headlines again by exposing himself in court, pulling down his pants in front of the judge.
