Florida Man Charged with Planning Mass Shooting

A man from Florida is facing charges for allegedly plotting a mass shooting aimed at Jewish staff members of a pro-Israel nonprofit organization, according to the Department of Justice.

Forrest Kendall Pemberton, a 27-year-old from Gainesville, has been charged with attempted hate crime, possession and use of a firearm in connection with a violent crime, as well as possession of a short-barreled rifle.

According to federal prosecutors, on December 23, 2024, Pemberton attempted to take his own life at the offices of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Plantation, South Florida. This organization advocates for support of Israel from the U.S. government. Reports indicated he was armed with an AR-15 style rifle featuring a silencer. The specific nonprofit was not named in court documents, but previous reports identified AIPAC as a target.

Critics of AIPAC argue that the organization supports controversial actions by the Israeli government, including its settlement policies and military actions in the West Bank, while resisting limitations on U.S. military aid to Israel.

If found guilty, Pemberton could potentially face a life sentence for the attempted hate crime, as well as up to 30 years for firearms-related charges and an additional five years for possession.

Investigators used geolocation technology to trace Pemberton’s movements. He allegedly intended to volunteer for AIPAC as a way to gain entry and carry out his violent plan. Authorities noted he left home on December 22, 2024, with two rifles and a handgun after leaving a note for his family.

However, when Pemberton arrived at what he believed to be the AIPAC headquarters, he found it deserted, according to earlier reports.

The situation came to law enforcement’s attention when Pemberton’s father reported concerns about his son’s whereabouts to the Gainesville Police Department. Pemberton had left a letter expressing his apologies and mentioning his “defiance of authority” and “modern flaws.”

Pemberton was later pulled over while driving a rideshare vehicle in Tallahassee on Christmas Day 2024. Authorities found his abandoned truck by the roadside. During the stop, he reportedly told officers he was traveling to Alabama to deliver one of his firearms to a friend, and no arrests were made at that time. His father traveled to Tallahassee and brought him back to Gainesville.

The day after, on December 26, 2024, Pemberton volunteered to speak with investigators when they asked if he had intentions of committing violence.

“Well, I don’t really know if I’m going to end it with my life,” he reportedly stated. “I hadn’t gotten there yet. It was totally up to me whether I would get caught in the end. If I did, that was my way out.”

Pemberton was arrested the following day. Authorities did not comment further on the case.