Hate crime and terrorism charges filed after Jewish man shot dead in 'targeted' attack

Hate crime and terrorism charges were filed Thursday after a Jewish man was shot on his way to a synagogue in Chicago over the weekend in what police said was a “targeted” attack.

Police announced several charges earlier this week against 22-year-old Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, who was originally charged with, among other things, six counts of attempted first-degree murder and seven counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm at officers and firefighters.

On Thursday, Abdallahi was charged with an additional felony count of terrorism and one felony count of hate crime, Chicago's top cop, Supt. Larry Snelling, said.

“We want everyone to know that we will never tolerate violence based on hatred and bigotry,” Snelling said during a news conference announcing the charges.

The shooting occurred around 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the 2600 block of W. Farwell, according to police, when Abdallahi allegedly opened fire on a 39-year-old man who was on his way to the synagogue.

Ald. Debra Silverstein, of the city's 50th Ward, had previously said that the victim was wearing a yarmulke at the time of the attack, noting that the West Rogers Park community where the shooting occurred has a large Orthodox Jewish population.

The gunman then fired several times at the responding officers and paramedics from different locations, police said, with the officers returning fire and hitting him. According to police, no members of the Chicago Police Department or Fire Department were injured.

Snelling said Abdallahi remained hospitalized after the shooting and investigators were unable to interview him, making it particularly difficult to determine a motive.

“Because they were unable to interview the shooter, investigators used digital evidence,” Snelling said, adding that evidence from Abdallahi’s phone “suggested that he planned the shooting and specifically targeted people of the Jewish faith .”

However, Snelling declined to elaborate on what exactly was discovered on the phone.

According to the Jewish United Fund, police said in a meeting with the group on Monday that Abdallahi shouted “Allahu Akbar” while firing at officers, leading to the belief that the attack may have been motivated by hate.

“We did not secure this indictment because of public pressure or media attention. We will never go out in public, make statements, make allegations or attempt to press charges without having evidence of what we want to incriminate someone for,” Snelling said. “Gathering evidence and facts takes time and we must do it in a timely manner so that we do not hinder the possibility of prosecution…we will never do things purely out of conviction. We need evidence.”

Snelling said the 39-year-old Jewish victim “did not suffer any life-threatening injuries,” but added, “We know he will struggle with this for the rest of his life.”

“We should be outraged,” Snelling said, addressing residents.

Snelling was joined by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx and Silverstein in announcing the additional charges.

“A place of worship is a sacred place,” Johnson said. “We are all working together to put an end to the hatred of our Jewish brothers and sisters.”

Foxx noted that terrorism allegations are rare in such cases.

“We understand that what happened last Saturday has stoked incredible fear in the hearts of those who practice the Jewish faith in our city,” Foxx said.

She said the attacker “sought out this particular community, sought out this particular faith.”

Abdallahi was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, but the appearance was postponed because he remained hospitalized. His next court date is Nov. 7, officials said, and he has been assigned a public defender.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) said an investigation into the incident captured the scene on body cameras. This footage is expected to be released within 60 days of filming.

“We are a strong, united, resilient community and we will remain that way,” Silverstein said.

During a press conference on Tuesday, leaders from Agudath Israel of Illinois, the Anti-Defamation League and the Chicago Rabbinical Council spoke about the shooting and concerns expressed by the community following the attack.

“Members of the Jewish Orthodox community are most vulnerable to violent attacks,” said Rabbi Sholomo Soroka. “We are easily identified as Jews.”

The rabbi also noted that the victim's daughters often accompany him on walks to the synagogue.

“Could you imagine that? “What would have happened if they had been with him?” he said.

“Here in our community, the shooting of an Orthodox parishioner on his way to Shabbat services on Saturday was the realization of the worst fear that many harbor,” said David Goldenberg of the ADL. “And that’s not okay.”

On Monday, the Chicago Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation said it was “aware of the referenced incident and continues to work diligently with local, state and federal partners to provide critical resources and support as we learn more.”

“Illinoisians deserve to feel safe as they walk the streets of our neighborhoods, and we are committed to doing our part to restore a sense of calm to the community,” the agency said in a statement .

Police said there are indications the shooter was “working alone” and do not believe there are any other suspects at this time.