West Ridge synagogue: A Chicago man faces multiple charges after authorities say he shot a Jewish man




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A man is facing 14 felony charges after authorities say he shot a man walking to a synagogue in Chicago this weekend and then returned fire. Opened fire on officers.

Saturday morning, police say the man fired multiple shots at a 39-year-old man in the 24th District and then “fired multiple times at responding officers and paramedics from multiple locations.” Chicago police said in a release Monday that officers returned fire and killed the gunman. No members of the police or fire departments were injured.

Sidi Mohammed Abdullahi, 22, has been charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder, seven counts of aggravated battery with intent to destroy a firearm and one count of battery with intent to destroy a firearm, the release said . It is unclear whether Abdullahi has a lawyer at this time. His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 7.

The shooting victim was released from the hospital Saturday afternoon, according to Alderman Debra Silverstein of Chicago's 50th Ward, where the shooting occurred.

Although Abdullahi has been charged in the shooting, police say the motive is still under investigation. Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling said at a news conference Monday that detectives were unable to interview Abdullahi because of his injuries. Abdullahi's Tuesday detention hearing was postponed and the court ordered him detained pending arraignment, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office said.

The Chicago Division of the FBI 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 reach out to them with any information related to the incident.

“Illinois residents deserve to feel safe when walking the streets of our neighborhoods, and we are committed to doing our part to return a sense of peace to the community,” the division said in a statement to CNN.

Silverstein said the victim – a Jewish resident of the neighborhood and a member of the same synagogue she attends – “was made the target of violence.”

“He was shot while walking to a synagogue for the peaceful observance of Shabbat. The victims of this senseless violence should be able to walk safely without fear, as should every person in this city be able to do, Silverstein said.

He highlighted the community's concern about the seriousness of the attack, which occurred the day after the Jewish holiday of Simhat Torah.

“Although the motive is still under investigation, the community is understandably concerned given the nature and timing of the attack,” he said.

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

Without saying anything, Abdullahi shot the man in the shoulder, police said. As officers and paramedics arrived at the scene, he allegedly fired multiple shots at them from different locations.

Police said an ambulance was hit by gunfire, but no officers or paramedics were injured. The officers then returned fire and shot Abdullahi, who was taken to the hospital, where he remains treated for his injuries.

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

Chicago police told CNN on Tuesday that Abdullahi shouted “Allah Akbar” during the encounter with police. However, the intent and context of the comment were unclear. Police said he did not comment before or while shooting the victim.

Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti said, “From the statements he made when he was interacting with our officers, there is nothing that we can bring to the table as evidence at this point that would be consistent with our officers- And will support any motive against his actions towards our victims.” News conference.

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

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

Police said that a weapon has been recovered from the incident site.

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

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

As some Jewish leaders have called for hate crime charges, police say they still need to interview the suspect and gather evidence before considering such charges.

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

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

“We don't just assume that everything is a hate crime, but we also don't dismiss the possibility that it could be,” he said.

On Monday, Silverstein said she was troubled by the lack of hate crime charges in the case.

“Police have assured me that they are continuing to gather evidence, and additional charges – including hate crime charges – may still be added,” Silverstein said.

Shoshanah Conover, senior rabbi of Temple Sholom, also said the community is disappointed by the lack of hate crime charges.

“Although disappointing at the lack of hate crime charges, everyone I have spoken to in our community is grateful for the immediate response of the police and the protection they provided as hate crimes have increased in so many communities,” Conover told CNN on Tuesday.

“Those who understand the process of being charged with a hate crime know that it sometimes takes time to gather enough evidence to prove charges. That being said, I hope our community continues to put pressure on them to do a thorough investigation because this certainly sounds like a hate crime against a Jew going to synagogue,” Conover said.

According to a post on X, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said, “All Chicagoans deserve to feel safe and secure across the city.” “There is more work to be done, and we are committed to improving community safety in every neighborhood.”

Senator Dick Durbin called the incident “unacceptable”.

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

“The shootings feel like a hate crime, regardless of where the investigation takes place,” the Midwest branch of The Anti-Defamation League said in a post on X.

CNN's Dalia Faheed, Bill Kirkos and Whitney Wilde contributed to this report


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