PHILADELPHIA (October 24, 2024) — Members of the Gun Violence Task Force on Thursday announced charges against three defendants after they confronted and threatened three Jewish complainants outside of a pool hall in June 2024.
Aueb Salahedein (DOB 4/28/02), Adam Anse (DOB 1/28/05), and Ahmad Twam (DOB 4/10/05) are charged with three counts each of Ethnic Intimidation (F3), Criminal Conspiracy (F3), Terroristic Threats (F3), Possession of an Instrument of Crime (M1), Terroristic Threats (M1), and Recklessly Endangering Another Person (REAP) (M2). In addition to these offenses, Salahedein is charged with VUFA 6106 (F3) and VUFA 6108 (M1).
In the early morning hours of June 30, 2024, the defendants were conversing with the victims outside Bluegrass Billiards, located on the 9400 block of Blue Grass Road in the city’s Northeast section. During the conversation, Salahedein, Anse, and Twam discovered that the victims were of Jewish descent. The three men then began hurling antisemitic slurs and threats at the victims, while Salahedein removed a firearm from a crossbody bag and aimed it at them.
The three victims ran to their vehicle in an attempt to escape. Salahedein struck the vehicle’s windshield with the butt of his firearm, causing the glass to crack. The defendants then fled the scene in a BMW. The victims were able to obtain the BMW’s license plate number, however.
Utilizing surveillance video, witness statements, and call detail records analyzed by the Gun Violence Task Force, investigators were able to identify the defendants and establish that they were together on the night of the incident. Investigators also discovered that Salahedein had purchased a 9mm Taurus handgun 12 days before the incident. After executing a search warrant at Salahedein’s residence, investigators recovered the crossbody bag containing a 9mm magazine and related firearm evidence. The defendants were arrested on October 18, 2024.
“I applaud the skillful and thorough investigation conducted by DA Detectives Dan Leonard and Michael Wexler, Philadelphia Police Detective Konstantinos Apostolou, and GVTF Criminal Analyst Kevin Taylor,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner. “Thanks to modern investigative techniques and dedicated law enforcement personnel, these defendants will be held accountable for their hateful actions. This should also serve as a warning to others who may engage in this abhorrent behavior that you will be apprehended and prosecuted.”
“This case underscores the importance of reporting these types of crimes and incidents,” said Andrew Goretsky, Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League’s Philadelphia office. “Far too often, these kinds of incidents go unreported, making it harder to address these dangerous trends. When someone is targeted because of their identity, whether they are Jewish or Muslim, Black, Asian, Latino, or a member of the LGBTQ+ community, it is not just wrong, it is an attack on our shared humanity. I thank the District Attorney’s Office and Philadelphia Police Department for their hard work on this case.”
CONTACT:
Dustin Slaughter, [email protected]
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.