A 27-year-old Jewish plumber in Miami Beach fired upon a vehicle, believing its occupants were Palestinians, but the victims were actually Israeli tourists – a father and son duo.
According to WSVN-TV News and Ynet News, Mordechai Brafman discharged 17 rounds at the Hyundai at approximately 9.30 pm Saturday, injuring both Israeli Jews before fleeing. Police apprehended him shortly afterwards nearby.
Brafman is currently in custody facing attempted-murder charges. While in the police interview room, he voluntarily admitted to shooting at what he believed were “two Palestinians”, incorrectly assuming he had killed them.
The assault left one victim with a shoulder wound, while the other sustained an arm graze, as reported by Ynet. Police confirmed there was no prior connection between the assailant and the victims.
The incident occurred on Alton Road, just north of 48th Street, where Brafman executed a U-turn upon spotting the victims before opening fire.
One victim, Ari Revay, recounted in Hebrew to WPLG-TV: “It was a truck passing next to [us]. Boom, boom, boom, and he randomly started shooting. He put the window down, the driver’s seat and just blasted. God, life is a gift.”
Brafman, currently detained without bond at Miami-Dade County Jail, had previously appeared in news coverage in 2023 commenting on vandalism at a local bagel shop displaying an Israeli flag, where he had advocated for unity, stating: “It’s just horrifying. I’d like to see more unity, for people to fight less with each other and be more together.”