A San Francisco man who fired blank firearm rounds in a synagogue in 2023 was convicted last Wednesday for interfering with religious worship and using an imitation firearm, according to an announcement by San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.
Dmitri Mishin was convicted on six counts each for religious worship interference as a hate crime and brandishing an imitation firearm and is set to be sentenced on August 29.
The 53-year-old entered the Schneerson Center on February 1, 2023, and spoke to a religious class attended mostly by elderly Russian-speaking Jews. Mishin suddenly pulled the imitation firearm from inside his jacket and fired several times into the room.
“Say hello to the Mossad,” Mishin is thought to have said before leaving the synagogue.
The San Francisco Police Department announced on February 4 the arrest of Mishin, believing him to also be the suspect who brandished a handgun in a theater on January 31, 2023.
In a similar account, the suspect had spoken to a theater employee while looking at merchandise before suddenly pulling out what appeared to be a handgun.
Mishin's prior violent tendencies
Police found a January 14, 2023 video of Mishin burning an object in front of the Schneerson Center and a February 2 social media photograph of him holding a grenade and wearing a militaristic uniform adorned with a swastika.
Jenkins said in a statement that there was no place for antisemitism in the community, and her office would vigorously prosecute hate crimes.
“Hate crimes deeply impact victims and whole communities,” said Jenkins. “Antisemitic incidents like this have lasting impacts and must be addressed. Fighting these crimes and getting justice in the courtroom rights these grave wrongs and restores some of the unity, dignity, and humanity that is lost when these crimes are committed.”
Assistant District Attorney Abigail Adams praised the victims for overcoming their fear and testifying at the trial.