A 22-year-old man opened fire on an Orthodox Jewish man walking to synagogue on Saturday morning in Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood, reportedly shouting “Allahu Akbar” before engaging in a shootout with police. The suspect, identified as Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, was arrested following a dramatic gun battle captured on security footage, according to local reports.
The New York Post reports the 39-year-old victim was struck in the shoulder but is now in stable condition and recovering. According to police, the attack occurred around 9:30 a.m. on West Farwell Avenue as the man was en route to a nearby synagogue. Chicago Deputy Police Chief Kevin Bruno explained that Abdallahi initially approached the victim and later reappeared to fire shots, first at the victim and then at officers and paramedics on the scene. The exchange continued for nearly three minutes, with stray bullets hitting a nearby ambulance.
Police ultimately shot Abdallahi multiple times, and he was transported to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston in critical condition. He now faces numerous charges, including six counts of attempted murder and seven counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm. The investigation remains active, though the motivation behind the attack has not yet been determined.
Alderperson Debra Silverstein expressed shock and frustration over the incident, especially concerning the lack of hate crime charges against Abdallahi. “The Jewish community is always on high alert, and this is just adding to our anxiety,” Silverstein stated. She also urged the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to pursue full prosecution of the offender.
