Six charged with hate crime after attack on Jewish student

Alleged assault on University of Pittsburgh student in Oakland neighborhood leads to federal indictments.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:21pm

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The U.S. Department of Justice announced that six men from the Pittsburgh area have been charged with federal hate crimes and other offenses for allegedly attacking a Jewish student from the University of Pittsburgh in 2024.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of anti-Semitic violence and the federal government's efforts to prosecute hate crimes, which have seen an uptick in recent years, particularly in college towns and urban areas.

The details

According to the DOJ, the six men are accused of assaulting the Jewish student in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, which is home to the University of Pittsburgh campus. The suspects were charged with violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, obstructing justice, and conspiring to obstruct justice.

  • The alleged attack occurred in 2024.

The players

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal law enforcement agency that announced the charges against the six men.

University of Pittsburgh

The school attended by the Jewish student who was allegedly attacked.

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What they’re saying

“The Department of Justice is committed to prosecuting hate crimes to the fullest extent of the law and protecting the civil rights of all Americans.”

— Attorney General

What’s next

The six suspects are scheduled to appear in federal court in the coming weeks to face the charges.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing challenge of addressing anti-Semitism and hate crimes, particularly on college campuses, and the importance of federal intervention and prosecution to hold perpetrators accountable.