The illegal immigrant accused of shooting a Jewish man in Chicago is facing new hate crime and terrorism charges. Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, allegedly shot and wounded a 39-year-old Jewish man last weekend in the West Ridge neighborhood. The suspect then engaged in a shootout with authorities before being arrested.
During a press conference, Windy City Police Superintendent Larry Snelling expressed how personal this shooting was to the Jewish community and to everyone in the city. The suspect targeted the victim because of his faith and reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” before the shootout with the police.
Abdallahi was initially charged with attempted murder, attempted murder of a police officer, aggravated battery, and aggravated discharge of a firearm. The delay in adding hate crime charges upset members of the Jewish community, but Snelling emphasized the importance of gathering sufficient evidence before filing those charges.
Investigators found evidence on the suspect’s phone indicating that he had planned to target Jewish community members. Abdallahi was wounded during the shootout with the police and remains hospitalized.
Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx mentioned that terrorism charges are rarely filed and highlighted the seriousness of violence aimed at intimidating or terrorizing specific communities. Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the hate directed at the Jewish community, stating that there is no place for antisemitism in Chicago.
Abdallahi, originally from Mauritania, entered San Diego in March 2023 and was screened by border agents before being released into the country. Despite having no criminal or terrorist history when caught at the border, he is now facing serious charges in connection with the shooting.
Due to his hospitalization, Abdallahi’s court appearance has been postponed. The case continues to be under investigation, with authorities working to ensure that justice is served for the victim and the community affected by this incident.
