COLUMBUS, Ohio — Authorities apprehended a man from northeast Ohio on Thursday, following claims that he directed threats and antisemitic comments at Republican U.S. Rep. Max Miller during a shared journey on an interstate near Cleveland.
Police in Rocky River reported that Feras S. Hamdan, a 36-year-old resident of Westlake, turned himself in alongside his legal counsel and is currently awaiting a court appearance. Attempts to reach his attorney for feedback were unsuccessful.
Rep. Miller, identifying as Jewish, made a 911 call while traveling on Interstate 90 toward his workplace. He informed authorities that another motorist engaged in erratic driving, used offensive gestures, displayed a Palestinian flag, and issued threats aimed at him and his infant daughter.
Miller proceeded to file a formal complaint against Hamdan, citing aggravated menacing, and requested a criminal protective order. Investigations are ongoing with cooperation from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Capitol Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, FBI, U.S. Attorney’s office, and the Rocky River prosecutor’s office.
The incident drew a response from the Ohio Jewish Caucus, who commended the Rocky River police for their efforts while also expressing support for Rep. Miller and his family. They highlighted the distressing timing of the event, noting its proximity to politically motivated shootings in Minnesota, which resulted in two fatalities and two injuries.
In a formal statement, the Ohio Jewish Caucus, composed entirely of Democratic legislators, declared, “Enough is enough. There is no place for this type of violence — whether it be political, antisemitic, or ideological — whatsoever. We believe we can solve our differences with humility, not hatred.”