In Miami Beach, Florida, 27-year-old Mordechai Brafman is facing upgraded charges, including hate crime enhancements, after allegedly shooting at two Israeli tourists he mistakenly believed were Palestinians. The incident occurred on the evening of February 15, 2025, near Pine Tree Drive and 48th Street.
According to police reports, Brafman fired 17 rounds at a vehicle occupied by Ari and Yaron Rabi, an Israeli father and son visiting Miami. Ari sustained a gunshot wound to his left shoulder, while Yaron was grazed on his left forearm. Both were treated at a local hospital and have since been released.
Surveillance footage reveals that Brafman made a U-turn upon spotting the victims’ car, positioning his truck to intercept them before opening fire. After his arrest, Brafman reportedly told officers, “While driving my truck, I saw two Palestinians and shot and killed both.” He has been charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder and is being held without bond.
Brafman’s defense attorney, Dustin Tischler, asserts that his client was undergoing a severe mental health crisis during the incident, impairing his judgment. Tischler stated, “At the time of the incident, Mr. Brafman was experiencing a severe mental health emergency. It is believed that his ability to make sound judgments was significantly compromised.” A court-ordered psychiatric evaluation has already deemed Brafman incompetent, with a second assessment pending. An arraignment is scheduled for March 10, 2025.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office has announced that their hate crimes unit is reviewing the case to determine if it meets the criteria for enhanced penalties under Florida law. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava emphasized the community’s commitment to confronting hate, stating, “Miami-Dade is proud to be a place rich in diversity—we must continue to confront hate in all forms and build a more tolerant community.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called for federal hate crime charges, highlighting the severity of targeting individuals based on perceived ethnicity. In a statement, CAIR-Florida’s Executive Director expressed concern over the incident and urged authorities to take appropriate action to address such bias-motivated crimes.
This event has raised concerns within the Miami Beach community, known for its cultural diversity. Local leaders and residents are engaging in dialogues to address underlying prejudices and to promote understanding among different ethnic and religious groups.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case underscores the profound impact of hate crimes on victims and communities, emphasizing the necessity for mental health support and proactive measures to combat prejudice.
