Shooter Allegedly Fired 17 Rounds in Unprovoked Attack
A Florida man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after allegedly opening fire on two men in Miami Beach, mistakenly believing they were Palestinians. Authorities say 27-year-old Mordechai Brafman fired 17 rounds at the victims in what police are calling an “unprovoked” attack.
According to the arrest report, Brafman told officers he saw “two Palestinians” while driving his truck and opened fire on their car, believing he had killed them. However, both men survived. One victim, an Israeli father vacationing in South Florida with his son, was shot in the shoulder, while the son was grazed by a bullet.
Brafman is currently being held without bond at a county jail in Miami on two counts of second-degree attempted murder. A judge has also ordered him to stay away from the victims.
Defense Claims Mental Health Crisis
Brafman’s attorney, Dustin Tischler, has argued that his client was experiencing a “severe mental health crisis” at the time of the shooting, which caused him to “fear for his life.” Tischler stated that Brafman’s ability to make sound decisions was “significantly compromised” and that he is now seeking necessary treatment while cooperating with law enforcement.
Calls for Hate Crime Charges
The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a civil rights and advocacy organization for Muslim Americans, has urged federal prosecutors to pursue hate crime charges against Brafman. The group argues that his alleged anti-Palestinian bias should be considered, regardless of the actual ethnicity of the victims.
Authorities have not yet announced whether hate crime enhancements will be added to the charges, but the case has already sparked discussions about the role of bias and mental health in violent crimes.
Investigation Ongoing
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the circumstances of the shooting. Prosecutors will determine whether additional charges, including hate crimes, will be filed as the case moves forward. In the meantime, the victims, who had traveled to Florida for vacation, are recovering from their injuries.
