Armed man arrested for plotting attack on Florida AIPAC office
Suspect detained with assault rifles after scouting site of organization’s office; marks the latest in a series of potential violent attacks on US Jewish targets
Police arrested an armed man in Florida for planning an attack on the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the organization confirmed on Tuesday, the latest in a series of attempted attacks on Jewish targets in the US.
The suspect, Forrest Pemberton, researched the organization, traveled to an AIPAC office site with firearms to scout the location, and said he was motivated by politics.
His father reported him to law enforcement when he went missing last week after leaving a letter saying he wanted to “stoke the flames,” according to a criminal complaint filed by an FBI agent. His family said he had weapons including an AR-15 assault rifle, a Luger pistol and a Galil rifle — a weapon developed in Israel.
Pemberton’s computer searches showed that he had looked up an address that matched the site of a former AIPAC office in Florida. Pemberton believed the address was still the current office site.
The criminal complaint did not name AIPAC, but stated that Pemberton looked up an address that matches the site of an AIPAC office listed on Google Maps. The office is no longer used by the organization, but Pemberton believed it was still active, the complaint said. The document also said the target organization advocates and lobbies for “pro-Israel policies that strengthen and expand the U.S.-Israel relationship,” matching language used by AIPAC on its website.
Pemberton traveled from Gainesville, Florida, to the office site in Plantation, Florida, with the intent to carry out a shooting attack. He also visited the organization’s website, including its “about us” and job listing sections, investigators said.
ATM withdrawals, his IP address and hotel surveillance footage showed Pemberton was within two miles of the target location earlier this week.
On December 25, law enforcement was monitoring Pemberton and saw him getting into a ride-share vehicle holding a rifle case. Officers stopped the vehicle and Pemberton turned over the three firearms and ammunition.
In a follow-up interview with police, he said he had previously visited the area unarmed to scout the location. He expressed ambivalence about carrying out a mass casualty event and committing suicide, saying “I hadn’t gotten that far yet.”
He said he chose his target due to its “political influence,” that he was frustrated with the status quo, and wanted to “see if I could make a change.”
Pemberton was arrested for stalking on Saturday. He was being held in custody pending a hearing next week. The case had initially been sealed but was unsealed on Monday.
AIPAC said it took the threat “very seriously” and was working with law enforcement.
“We will not be deterred by extremists in pursuing our mission to strengthen the relationship with America’s valued ally, Israel,” an AIPAC spokesperson told The Times of Israel. “We are deeply appreciative of the FBI’s work to stop this individual.”
The FBI declined to comment.
The incident was the latest in a series of potential violent attacks on US Jewish and Israeli targets that were thwarted by law enforcement.
Late last month, the FBI arrested a college student for a planned mass casualty terror attack against the Israeli consulate in New York City.
In September, a suspect was arrested in Canada while attempting to enter the US to attack a Jewish center in Brooklyn in support of ISIS.
In July, a neo-Nazi was indicted for planning mass casualty attacks against Jews in New York City by distributing poisoned candy to Jewish children.
The incidents come as antisemitism has surged in the US following the October 7, 2023, invasion of Israel. PJC
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