A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida has indicted Forrest Kendall Pemberton, 27, of Gainesville, on federal hate crime and firearm offenses for allegedly attempting a mass shooting targeting Jewish employees at an American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) office. The indictment follows an incident on December 23, 2024, where Pemberton reportedly armed himself with an AR-15-style rifle equipped with a silencer and traveled to the AIPAC office in Plantation, Florida. Authorities state he intended to carry out a mass shooting because the employees were Jewish.
Pemberton faces charges including attempted hate crime, using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a short-barreled rifle. If convicted, he could face a maximum penalty of life in prison for the attempted hate crime, a mandatory consecutive sentence of up to 30 years for the firearm charge, and five years for the possession count. The U.S. Justice Department announced the indictment, highlighting the severity of the alleged plot.
The plot was reportedly thwarted when Pemberton's family members contacted law enforcement after he went missing. They provided crucial information, including a concerning letter he left behind and his internet search history, which indicated his intent to commit a crime at the AIPAC office. According to the tweet from Marina Medvin, > "His family turned him in, saving the lives of the Jews he was targeting."
Investigators traced Pemberton's movements using cellphone geolocation technology, leading to his interception in a rideshare vehicle carrying multiple firearms. He allegedly told law enforcement that he targeted AIPAC due to its "political influence" and a desire to "make a change." Pemberton had also reportedly scouted the office, pretending to be a volunteer to assess access points.
The case is being investigated by FBI Jacksonville, with assistance from FBI Miami, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Miami Field Office, the Gainesville Police Department, and the Tallahassee Police Department. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about hate-motivated violence and the critical role of community vigilance in preventing such attacks.
