Houston Gunman Wearing Nazi Uniform Once Belonged to Jewish Fraternity
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
— The gunman wearing a Nazi uniform during a shooting spree in Houston belonged to a Jewish fraternity in college.
Nathan DeSai, 46, was carrying two guns and 2,500 rounds of live ammunition when he was shot dead by police Monday morning after injuring nine people in his attack on commuters, one critically.
DeSai belonged to Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity at the University of Houston, local news stations reported Wednesday, citing former fraternity brothers, who said he helped restart the all-but-defunct chapter at the university in the late 1980s. Non-Jews are also allowed to join the fraternity.
He was known by Niren at the time; he changed his name to Nathan legally in 2001, according to reports.
Andy Huston, executive director of Sigma Alpha Mu, confirmed in a statement that DeSai was a fraternity member from 1990 to 1993.
“Since his graduation more than 23 years ago, we have no record of him having any involvement with our organization,” the statement said.
In addition to the vintage military uniform emblazoned with swastikas DeSai was wearing, Nazi paraphernalia also was found in his car and apartment, according to local media reports. Police also found other vintage military uniforms.
DeSai, an attorney, and a partner ran a law firm that closed in February after 12 years due to an economic downturn, according to the AP.
Perrye Turner, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Houston Division, told the AP that officials don’t believe the incident is tied to terrorism, though local police officials have not offered an opinion.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
