No hate crime charges against the suspect who shot and killed a Jewish man on his way to the temple

Chicago police are facing increasing criticism for failing to file hate crime charges against a man accused of attempting to murder a Jewish man after he allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” as he opened fire.

Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, was charged with 14 felony counts after he allegedly shot the victim multiple times as he made his way to a synagogue in the Rogers Park neighborhood on Saturday. Around 20,000 Jewish people live in the district.

“During the shooting, the perpetrator approached a 39-year-old man and without a word shot him in the shoulder,” Superintendent Larry Snelling said at a news conference Monday.

Abdallahi also fired at responding officers and paramedics and was shot multiple times before being arrested and taken to a hospital.

Some witnesses to the shooting claim the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar,” the Arabic phrase meaning “God is greater,” as he fired his gun at the victim's back, according to local media reports. This has left community leaders wondering why police have not brought more serious hate crime charges.

“Saturday’s shooting of an Orthodox parishioner on his way to Shabbat services was a recognition that many harbor even worse fears, and that is not OK,” David Goldenberg, Midwest regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said Tuesday and added that Chicago leaders needed to act now to help Jewish residents feel safe.

Other community leaders also expressed dismay that no hate crime charges were filed.

“I am very disappointed in this turn of events and strongly encourage the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to prosecute the perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law,” 50th District Councilwoman Debra L. Silverstein said in a news release.

“Police have assured me that they are continuing to gather evidence and that further charges, including hate crime charges, may be laid.”

A Chicago Police spokesman referred to the superintendent's comments Monday when asked about the hate crime allegations. Snelling had said there was not enough evidence to support such a charge.

Abdallahi was charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder, seven counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm in the direction of a police office and one count of aggravated assault/discharge of a firearm.

The suspect reportedly crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally about 18 months ago. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told Newsweek it had no interaction with the suspect, while Chicago police said it had no comment on such matters.

Saturday's attack comes amid rising tensions in the United States as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues. Superintendent Snelling was asked Monday about the apparent harassment of a Palestinian business and whether hate crime charges could be filed there as well.

“We know what’s going on in the world right now. And we know how that can impact neighborhoods, communities and people of faith,” he said. “It’s not lost on us that paraphernalia of hate is being passed around.”

Jewish leaders said at a news conference Tuesday that Chicago had become “openly hostile” toward their community and that Saturday's shooting was part of a larger wave of anti-Semitism they face every day.

Abdallahi was scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing on Tuesday.