Chicago Man Charged with Hate Crime in Horrific Assault on Jewish Students at DePaul University

Kasem Noubani, 24, of Tinley Park, has been formally charged with aggravated battery and hate crimes in connection with the November 6, 2024, attack on two Jewish students outside DePaul University’s Student Center.

According to prosecutors, Noubani and alleged accomplice Adam Erkan carried out a coordinated ambush on IDF reservist Max Long and Michael Kaminsky, who were peacefully standing with a sign that read: “Come talk about Israel with an IDF soldier.”

Details of the Attack

Prosecutors say one of the suspects distracted the students while Noubani attacked Max Long from behind. He allegedly punched Long repeatedly before slamming him to the ground, leaving him unconscious. Long suffered a concussion, brain trauma, a hematoma, and a cyst between his brain and spine.

Michael Kaminsky was also assaulted while trying to intervene. Both attackers wore masks during the incident.

Noubani was arrested in Arkansas following a traffic stop and extradited to Illinois. He was charged on May 7, 2026, with two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of hate crime. He remains in custody pending his next court appearance on May 14.

Adam Erkan, 20, was charged earlier in the case. He pleaded guilty to battery, received two years of probation and 100 hours of community service after hate crime charges were dropped in a plea deal. Prosecutors say Erkan cooperated with authorities and identified Noubani as the main assailant. DNA evidence from a discarded sweatshirt and mask reportedly linked Noubani to the scene.

The case has drawn significant attention amid heightened tensions on U.S. campuses following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza.

No trial date has been set.