In a chilling turn of events, a man was detained following a foiled attempt to target a pro-Israel organization, according to the latest court records. The man, identified as Forrest Pemberton, had traveled from Gainesville to South Florida, armed with weapons and a plan to carry out the attack. However, the plot was thwarted when Pemberton had a change of heart and decided to abort his mission.
Change of Heart
As per the federal complaint filed on December 30, Pemberton confessed to authorities that he had a change of heart. He was quoted as saying, “It would have been a one-way ticket in Plantation, I decided I wasn’t ready. I gave up.” This sudden shift in Pemberton’s mindset was a critical factor in preventing the potential attack.
Intended Target
Court Watch, the first to report on the foiled attack, revealed that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) was the intended target. AIPAC, which strongly advocates for pro-Israel policies, has not been identified by name in the federal complaint. However, with their commitment to strengthening relations between Israel and the United States, they were a prime target for Pemberton’s plot.
Family Involvement
According to the complaint, Pemberton’s father was the one who alerted authorities after his son left abruptly in the middle of the night with his guns. The father found a letter left behind by Pemberton, expressing anti-authority sentiments and conveying his intentions to ‘close the loop,’ ‘stoke the flames,’ and say ‘goodbye’ to his father.
Investigations revealed that Pemberton had used his laptop to research AIPAC’s address and had even searched for a ride-sharing application, suggesting a possible mode of transportation for his planned attack. His family also noticed ATM withdrawals made in Plantation, a mile from AIPAC’s office, and promptly shared these findings with law enforcement.
The FBI initiated surveillance on Pemberton and managed to confiscate his weapons, including an AR-15 rifle, Galil rifle, and Luger pistol, along with ammunition. During the interrogation, Pemberton admitted he was frustrated with the status quo and wanted to ‘make a change.’ He had planned to ‘volunteer’ with the pro-Israel group, scout out the location, and then attack with his concealed weapons.
When questioned about his ultimate intentions, Pemberton revealed that he hadn’t decided yet, and his final actions would depend on whether he got caught or not. He admitted that if he was caught, dying by suicide was a possible option for him.
A detention hearing for Pemberton is scheduled for January 6 at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville. His court-appointed federal public defender has yet to comment on the matter.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threats and challenges faced by organizations such as AIPAC. It also highlights the importance of vigilance, cooperation, and swift action by family members and law enforcement in averting potential disasters.
