Six connected to antisemitic attack in Pittsburgh accused of trying to mislead jury, court docs say
Updated: 2:04 PM EDT Mar 30, 2026
Six Pittsburgh area residents have been indicted in connection with an antisemitic attack in the city’s Oakland neighborhood. Defendants:Muhammed Koc, 27, of PittsburghOmar Alshmari, 28, of MonroevilleAbraham Choudhry, 22, of MonroevilleEmirhan Arslan, 24, of McKees RocksAli Alkhaleel, 19, of PittsburghAdeel Piracha, 22, of MurrysvilleAccording to officials, all defendants, except for Piracha, were involved in making hostile, antisemitic statements to a person walking in Oakland after seeing them with a Star of David necklace in September of 2024.The indictment alleges Koc and Alshmari attacked the victim, causing the victim physical pain, a split lip and headaches. Officials say for months following the attack, the group, including Piracha, talked about the attack on social media through messaging and group chats.In those chats, Alshmari identified both himself and Koc as the two people listed in a University of Pittsburgh crime alert related to the attack. They would then both admit to the crime in later messages, officials said. The group allegedly of agreed to match their stories about the attack in order to mislead a federal grand jury.During their testimony, officials say they gave false information on whether or not they or others hit the victim and whether or not the victim’s Jewish identity and necklace were related to the attack.“Violence that targets someone because of their religious beliefs is unacceptable in American society,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Richard Evanchec. “Freedom of religion is a fundamental principle at the core of many communities across our nation. FBI Pittsburgh and our local, state, and federal partners stand committed to protecting all faith communities from acts of hatred and intimidation. Incidents such as this will be met with a swift, decisive law enforcement response as we will pursue those believed responsible with the full force of the law.”
PITTSBURGH —
Six Pittsburgh area residents have been indicted in connection with an antisemitic attack in the city’s Oakland neighborhood.
Defendants:
Muhammed Koc, 27, of PittsburghOmar Alshmari, 28, of MonroevilleAbraham Choudhry, 22, of MonroevilleEmirhan Arslan, 24, of McKees RocksAli Alkhaleel, 19, of PittsburghAdeel Piracha, 22, of Murrysville
According to officials, all defendants, except for Piracha, were involved in making hostile, antisemitic statements to a person walking in Oakland after seeing them with a Star of David necklace in September of 2024.
The indictment alleges Koc and Alshmari attacked the victim, causing the victim physical pain, a split lip and headaches.
Officials say for months following the attack, the group, including Piracha, talked about the attack on social media through messaging and group chats.
In those chats, Alshmari identified both himself and Koc as the two people listed in a University of Pittsburgh crime alert related to the attack. They would then both admit to the crime in later messages, officials said.
The group allegedly of agreed to match their stories about the attack in order to mislead a federal grand jury.
During their testimony, officials say they gave false information on whether or not they or others hit the victim and whether or not the victim’s Jewish identity and necklace were related to the attack.
“Violence that targets someone because of their religious beliefs is unacceptable in American society,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Richard Evanchec. “Freedom of religion is a fundamental principle at the core of many communities across our nation. FBI Pittsburgh and our local, state, and federal partners stand committed to protecting all faith communities from acts of hatred and intimidation. Incidents such as this will be met with a swift, decisive law enforcement response as we will pursue those believed responsible with the full force of the law.”