West Ridge Synagogue: Chicago man faces multiple charges after officials say he shot Jewish man

CNN
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A man faces 14 felony charges after officials say he shot a man walking to a synagogue and then fired at responding police officers during a shootout in Chicago this weekend.

A man shot a 39-year-old man multiple times in the 24th Precinct before shooting “responding officers and paramedics multiple times from multiple locations,” police said Saturday morning. The officers returned fire, striking the shooter, Chicago police said in a statement Monday. None of the policemen and firefighters were injured.

Sidi Mohamed Abdullahi, 22, is charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder, seven counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and one count of aggravated battery with a firearm, the release said. It is currently unknown whether Abdallah has a lawyer. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 7.

The shooting victim was released from the hospital Saturday afternoon, according to Debra Silverstein, alderman of Chicago’s 50th Ward, where the shooting occurred.

Although Abdallahi has been charged in that shooting, police say a motive is under investigation. Detectives were unable to interview Abdallahi because of his injuries, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said at a news conference Monday. The Cook County District Attorney’s Office said that Abdallahi’s detention hearing was postponed on Tuesday and the court ordered that he be held in custody pending his appearance.

The FBI’s Chicago office said it is working with local, state and federal partners to provide resources and assistance during the investigation. The department urged the public to contact them with any information about the incident.

“Illinoisians deserve to feel safe walking the streets of our neighborhood, and we are committed to doing our part to restore a sense of peace to the community,” the department said in a statement to CNN.

Silverstein said the victim — a Jewish woman who lives in the neighborhood and is a member of the same synagogue she attends — was a “target for violence.”

“He was shot while walking to the synagogue during a peaceful Shabbat observance. The victim of this senseless violence should have been able to walk safely without fear, just like every person in this city should have,” Silverstein said.

She underscored the community’s concern over the seriousness of the attack, which occurred the day after the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah.

“While the motive is still under investigation, the community is rightly concerned about the nature and timing of the attack,” she added.

Here’s what we know about the shooting and the investigation so far:

Abdallahi shot the man in the shoulder without saying a word, police said. When police and medics arrived at the scene, he allegedly fired several shots at them from different locations.

An ambulance was hit by gunfire, but neither police officers nor medics were injured. The police then returned fire, shooting Abdallah, who was taken to hospital, where he remains to be treated for his injuries.

“We are thankful that the victim’s injuries were not life-threatening,” Snelling said. “This incident was also a stark reminder of the dangers our first responders face as they too have come under fire but thankfully not been hit.”

Chicago police told CNN on Tuesday that Abdallahi said “Allah Akbar” during the encounter with police. However, the intent and context of the comment was unclear. Police said he made no comment before or during the shooting of the victim.

“The statement that he made while talking to our officers is not something that we can present as evidence at this time that would support any motive against his actions toward our officers and also toward our victim.” said Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti. press conference.

Less than 30 minutes after the shooting, the suspect was arrested at 10 a.m. Saturday not far from the scene of the shooting, the release said.

Silverstein said the victim is “doing well and in good spirits.”

A weapon was seized at the scene, the police added.

The investigation of the criminal proceedings continues, operatives are establishing the motives of the shooting. Authorities are working to “bring this individual to justice for his violent actions,” Snelling said.

“We understand the concern surrounding this incident and we are doing everything we can to keep the community safe and we want to restore a sense of security to residents,” Snelling said.

With some Jewish leaders calling for hate crime charges, police say they still need to interview the suspect and gather evidence before pursuing such charges.

Superintendent Snelling urged the public not to jump to conclusions about the shooting.

“There is a lot of information circulating about the shooting, and we ask the public not to be too quick to judge this situation,” he said Monday. “We are continuing to investigate based on the facts and evidence available.”

“We don’t just go in and assume everything is a hate crime, but we don’t rule out the possibility that it could be,” he added.

On Monday, Silverstein said she was disappointed by the lack of hate crime charges in the case.

“Police have assured me that they are continuing to gather evidence and additional charges, including hate crime charges, may still be filed,” Silverstein said. said.

Shoshana Conover, senior rabbi at Temple Sholom, also said the congregation was disappointed by the lack of hate crime charges.

“While there is disappointment in the lack of hate crime charges, most people I have spoken to in our community are grateful for the immediate police response and the protection they have provided as hate crimes have escalated in many communities,” Conover said. CNN said Tuesday.

“People who understand the hate crime prosecution process know that sometimes it takes time to gather enough evidence to bring charges. With that being said, I hope our community will continue to push them to do a thorough investigation because this certainly looks like a hate crime against a law-abiding Jew who goes to synagogue,” Conover added.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said “all Chicagoans deserve to feel safe and secure across the city.” in accordance to post on X. “There’s still a lot of work to do, and we’re committed to diligently improving community safety in every neighborhood.”

Senator Dick Durbin called the incident “unacceptable.”

“Anti-Semitism is on the rise in America, and we must focus on eradicating it,” Durbin. said at X. “I support the Jewish community in Chicago and across the country.”

Midwest Chapter of the Anti-Defamation League said in a post on X, “the shooting appears to be a hate crime no matter where the investigation goes.”

CNN’s Dalia Faheid, Bill Kirkos and Whitney Wild contributed to this report