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



CNN

A man faces 14 criminal charges after authorities say he shot a man walking to a synagogue and then fired at responding police officers during a shooting in Chicago over the weekend.

On Saturday morning, police said the man fired several shots at a 39-year-old man in the 24th Precinct before shooting “at police officers and paramedics who responded multiple times from various locations.” The officers returned fire, hitting the shooter, Chicago police said in a statement Monday. No members of the police or firefighters were injured.

Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, faces six counts of attempted first-degree murder, seven counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and one count of aggravated battery with discharge of a firearm, the statement said. It is not yet known whether Abdallahi 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 for Chicago’s 50th Ward, where the shooting took place.

Although Abdallahi has been charged in connection with the shooting, police say the motive remains under investigation. Detectives were unable to question Abdallahi because of his injuries, Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling said at a news conference Monday. Abdallahi’s detention hearing Tuesday was postponed and the court ordered him held until he could appear in court, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said.

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 division encouraged the public to come forward with any information relating to the incident.

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

Silverstein said the victim — a Jewish resident of the neighborhood and member of the same synagogue she attends — had been “the target of violence.”

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

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

“While the motive remains under investigation, the community is rightly disturbed given the nature and timing of the attack,” she added.

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

Abdallahi shot the man in the shoulder without saying a word, police said. As police and paramedics responded to the scene, he allegedly fired several shots at them from different locations.

An ambulance was hit by gunfire, but no officers or emergency workers were injured, police said. The officers then returned fire, shooting Abdallahi, who was taken to hospital, where he remains to treat his injuries.

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

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

“The statement that was made while he was engaging our officers is nothing that we can provide as evidence at this point that would support any motive against his actions toward our officers as well as toward our victim,” the statement said. chief of detectives Antoinette Ursitti. the press conference.

Less than 30 minutes after the shooting, the suspect was arrested at 10 a.m. Saturday near the scene of the shooting, the press release said.

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

A weapon was recovered at the scene, police added.

The criminal investigation is ongoing and detectives are working to understand the motive for the shooting. Authorities are working “to hold this individual accountable for the acts of violence he committed,” Snelling said.

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

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

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

“There has been a lot of information circulating about the shooting and we ask the public not to rush to judgment about this situation,” he said Monday. “We are continuing our investigation based on the available facts and evidence.”

“We don’t just assume that 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 upset 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 still be added,” Silverstein said. said.

Shoshanah Conover, senior rabbi at Temple Sholom, also said the community was frustrated by the lack of hate crime charges.

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

“People who understand the hate crime charging process know that it sometimes takes time to gather enough evidence for charges to stick. That being said, I hope our community continues to pressure them to do a thorough investigation, because this certainly seems like a hate crime against an observant Jew going to synagogue,” Conover added.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said “all Chicagoans deserve to feel safe and protected across the city.” according to to an article on X. “There is still work to do and we are committed to diligently improving community safety in every neighborhood.

Sen. Dick Durbin called the incident “unacceptable.”

“Anti-Semitism is on the rise in America and we must remain focused on eradicating it,” Durbin said. said on X. “I stand with the Jewish community in Chicago and across the country. »

The Midwest Branch of the Anti-Defamation League said in an article on

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