A Chicago man was shot while walking to a synagogue in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood over the weekend. The incident occurred in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood, where the 39-year-old victim was targeted by a suspect identified as Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22. Abdallahi allegedly shot at responding officers and paramedics before being apprehended by the police.
During a news conference, 50th Ward Alderman Debra Silverstein expressed concern over the lack of hate crime charges in the case. Abdallahi is facing 14 felony counts, including six counts of attempted murder. The motive behind the attack is still under investigation, with the community expressing unease due to the nature and timing of the incident.
Superintendent Larry Snelling confirmed that the suspect made a statement while exchanging gunfire with officers, but the exact content of the statement has not been disclosed. The victim, who was shot in the shoulder, is reported to be in stable condition and recovering at home.
The shooting took place on Shabbat following the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah. While no officers or paramedics were injured during the shootout, an ambulance was hit. The FBI is involved in the investigation, and it is still under investigation whether Abdallahi is a U.S. citizen.
