FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A South Florida man was sentenced Friday morning to 25 years in federal prison in connection with a shooting near his home in Margate and a “hit list” that reportedly included Jewish schools, houses of worship, and the name of Jewish U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Florida.
John Lapinski will serve eight years of supervised release once he is released from prison.
He has been ordered to stay at least 1,000 feet away from any school, university or place of worship. He is also not allowed to research anyone online who he had mentioned in his hit list.
Finally, Lapinski is to have no contact, directly or indirectly, with any of the victims.
Authorities say the case against Lapinski began on Oct. 31, 2024, when neighbors in Margate reported gunfire near his home just after 6 a.m.
Responding officers found shell casings outside a side door of the residence Lapinski shares with his sister. He was subsequently Baker Acted, allowing for an involuntary mental health evaluation.
Two search warrants executed at the home allegedly uncovered a cache of weapons and disturbing materials, including 3,000 rounds of ammunition, firearms — some homemade ghost guns and silencers — smoke grenades, body armor, and a paper target riddled with bullet holes and racial slurs.
Investigators said they also found a “hit list” that reportedly included Jewish schools, houses of worship, and Moskowitz.
One entry on the alleged hit list had been crossed out, with the words “Got him” written beside it, according to authorities.
Prosecutors stated that one of the listed individuals had recently experienced a shooting at their Margate home and their vehicle had also been shot at. Authorities also recovered a hand-drawn map and a materials list for carrying out an attack.
A prior criminal conviction and two domestic violence injunctions prohibit Lapinski from possessing firearms.
Prior to his sentencing, Lapinski faced up to 40 years in prison.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
