West Ridge synagogue: Chicago man faces multiple charges after authorities say he shot Jewish man

CNN
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A man faces 14 felony charges after authorities say he shot a synagogue-goer and then fired at responding officers during a confrontation in Chicago this weekend.

On Saturday morning, police said the man fired several shots at a 39-year-old man in the 24th precinct, then fired “multiple times at responding police officers and paramedics from various locations.” Chicago police said Monday that officers responded by opening fire on the gunman. No police or firefighters were injured.

The statement stated that 22-year-old Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi faces six counts of attempted first-degree murder, seven counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and one count of aggravated battery with a firearm. It is unclear at this time whether Abdullahi has a lawyer. His next hearing will be held on November 7.

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

Although Abdullahi has been charged with this attack, police say the cause of the incident is under investigation. Chicago Police Department Inspector Larry Snelling said at a news conference Monday that detectives were unable to interview Abdallahi due to his injuries. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said Abdallahi’s detention hearing on Tuesday was postponed and the court ordered him detained until his arraignment.

The FBI’s Chicago division said it is working with local, state and federal partners to provide resources and assistance as the investigation continues. The department encouraged the public to reach out to them with any information regarding the incident.

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

The victim, a Jewish resident of the neighborhood and a member of the same synagogue he attended, was “violently targeted,” Silverstein said.

“He was shot while walking to the synagogue to peacefully celebrate Shabbat. “The victim of this senseless violence should have been able to walk safely without fear, as everyone in this city should be able to do,” Silverstein said.

He highlighted community concerns about the seriousness of the attack, which occurred the day after the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah.

“Although the motive is still under investigation, the community is rightfully disturbed given the nature and timing of the attack,” he added.

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

Police said Abdullahi shot the man in the shoulder without saying a word. While police and paramedics intervened at the scene, the suspect allegedly fired many shots at them from different places.

Police said shots were fired at an ambulance, but no officers or paramedics were injured. Officers then returned fire, striking Abdullahi, who was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.

“We are grateful that the victim’s injuries were not life-threatening,” Snelling said. “This incident also served as a stark reminder of the danger our first responders face because they were also fired upon and fortunately were not hit.”

Chicago police told CNN on Tuesday that Abdullahi said “Allah Akbar” during his encounter with police. However, the purpose and context of the comment was unclear. He made no comments before or while shooting the victim, police said.

“The statement he made while meeting with our officers is nothing that we can present as evidence at this point to support any motive for his actions towards our officers and our victim,” said Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti. news conference.

The statement stated that less than 30 minutes after the shooting, the suspect was arrested at 10:00 am on Saturday, near the location of the shooting.

Silverstein said the victim was doing well and was in good spirits.

Police added that a gun was found at the scene.

The criminal investigation is ongoing and detectives are trying to understand the motive behind the shooting. Snelling said authorities are working “to hold this individual accountable for the violent acts he committed.”

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

While some Jewish leaders have called for hate crime charges, police say they still need to interview the suspect and gather evidence before considering such charges.

Inspector 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 rush to conclusions in this situation,” he said in a statement on Monday. “We continue to investigate based on available facts and evidence.”

“We’re not going in and assuming everything is a hate crime, but we’re not ruling out the possibility that it could happen,” he added.

Silverstein said Monday he was disturbed by the lack of hate crime charges in the case.

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

Sholom Temple Senior Rabbi Shoshanah Conover also said the community was disturbed by the lack of hate crime charges.

“While there is disappointment at the lack of hate crime charges, most people I speak with in our community are grateful for the prompt response and protection police provide as hate crimes are on the rise in many communities.” Conover told CNN on Tuesday.

“People who understand the process of a hate crime charge know that it sometimes takes time to gather enough evidence to make the charges valid. However, I hope our community continues to pressure them to do a thorough investigation because this certainly feels like a hate crime committed against an observant Jew walking to synagogue,” Conover added.

“All Chicagoans deserve to feel safe and protected throughout the city,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. based on To a post on X. “There is more work to be done, and we are 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 rooting it out,” Durbin said. in question About X. “I stand with the Jewish community in Chicago and across the country.”

Midwestern branch of the Anti-Defamation League in question In a post about X, “the shooting feels like a hate crime, regardless of where the investigation leads.”

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