CHICAGO — A 20-year-old man from the suburbs has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery in connection with an attack on Jewish students at DePaul University last year. Adam Erkan’s plea agreement, reached on Nov. 25, spares him from the seven felonies he initially faced, which included four counts of committing a hate crime.
As part of his sentence, Erkan will serve two years on probation and complete 100 hours of community service. The incident took place on November 6, 2024, during a peaceful advocacy event for Israel, when Erkan allegedly approached two students, Max Long and Michael Kaminsky, and verbally assaulted them with antisemitic remarks before launching a physical attack.
Long, who is a reservist in the Israel Defense Forces, lost consciousness during the altercation and suffered a serious brain injury. Kaminsky was injured while attempting to assist Long and later required surgery for a fractured wrist. Surveillance footage captured parts of the incident, showing Erkan fleeing in a silver 2011 Toyota RAV4, a vehicle that was later identified by his father to authorities. Erkan was arrested at his home the following week, while police continue to search for an additional suspect involved in the attack.
In response to the plea deal, Gerard Filitti, senior counsel at The Lawfare Project, criticized the response to the attack, stressing that it fell short of what is necessary for achieving justice. “While one perpetrator has admitted guilt, the reality is that the second assailant remains at large, and both victims continue to face ongoing threats,” he stated. “We anticipate swift action to apprehend the second attacker and hold him accountable to provide justice for the victims and the Jewish community impacted by this act of hate.”
The DePaul community has expressed profound concern following the incident. Many university leaders and students are calling for increased support and security measures, emphasizing the need for a safer environment for all students. The attack has spurred discussions around antisemitism on campus and the broader societal challenges of hate-based violence.
As police continue their investigation, the focus now shifts to the need for accountability and support for those affected by such violence. The judicial system’s handling of this case may set a precedent for how similar incidents are addressed in the future, underscoring the urgency of confronting hate in all its forms.