Chicago Police Charge 22-Year-Old Mauritanian Immigrant with Terrorism, Hate Crimes in Shooting of 39-Year-Old Orthodox Jew

Oct 31, 2024, 09:34 PM

Chicago police have charged Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, a 22-year-old illegal immigrant from Mauritania, with terrorism and hate crimes after he allegedly shot a 39-year-old Orthodox Jewish man on his way to synagogue in the West Rogers Park neighborhood. The incident occurred last Saturday, and Abdallahi reportedly shouted 'Allahu Akbar' during the attack and subsequent shootout with police. Authorities discovered evidence on his phone indicating that the attack was premeditated and specifically targeted the Jewish community. Abdallahi had crossed the U.S. border illegally in March 2023 and was released into the country by federal authorities. The shooting has sparked calls from Jewish leaders for hate crime charges and has intensified the debate over immigration policies under the Biden-Harris administration. Cook County's sanctuary policies have also come under scrutiny.