Gunman who shot Jewish man near Chicago synagogue is illegal migrant who targeted victim in antisemitic attack: sources
The gunman who opened fire on a Jewish man walking to synagogue in Chicago is an illegal migrant from West Africa who was released into the US last year — and he targeted the victim because of his faith, law enforcement sources tell The Post.
Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22 — who hails from Mauritania — crossed into San Diego in March 2023 and was screened by border agents, who quickly released him into the US, officials said.
Federal investigators believe Abdallahi was specifically targeting Jews in an antisemitic attack when he ambushed a 39-year-old Orthodox Jewish man in the city’s West Ridge neighborhood — which is home to several synagogues, sources said.
The gunman was then reportedly caught on video shouting “Allahu Akbar” before opening fire on police — who critically wounded him in a shootout.
The Cook County prosecutor has sparked outrage from the Windy City’s Jewish community after Abdallahi was not charged with a hate crime.
When Abdallahi was caught at the border last year, authorities didn’t find any criminal or terrorist histories linked him, sources said.
Border Patrol noted that Abdallahi “does not appear to be a threat to national security, or public safety…” before sending him on his way with a future court date, according to sources.
Abdallahi said he was going to live with a friend in Indiana.
Although Abdallahi told Border Patrol agents in California he didn’t fear being returned to Mauritania, he later filed for asylum. That case is pending.
The case has caused tensions between Chicago and Cook County officials and the Jewish community. Cops said the gunman opened fire on an Orthodox Jewish man wearing a kippah without saying a word.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has faced backlash for expressing his “heartfelt thoughts and prayers” with the victim, but failing to mention that the victim is Jewish.
“On behalf of the City of Chicago, our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his loved ones from this weekend’s shooting incident that took place in Rogers Park,” Johnson wrote on X Wednesday. “This tragic event should have never happened, and we recognize the dedication of our first responders who put their lives on the line during this shooting.
“The Mayor’s Office is in close communication with the Chicago Police Department as the investigation continues. All Chicagoans deserve to feel safe and protected across the city. There is more work to be done, and we are committed to diligently improving community safety in every neighborhood,” he added.
Chicago’s Jewish Community Relations Council was quick to call out the mayor’s omission.
“You failed to identify that the victim was a Jewish man, in a densely populated Jewish neighborhood, going to synagogue for Shabbat morning prayers,” the group wrote on X. “What will it take for you to acknowledge the Jewish community?”
The alleged gunman is charged with six counts of attempted murder, seven counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, and aggravated battery.
Cops said they yet to determine a motive of the attack as the investigation remains ongoing. Detectives weren’t immediately able to interview Abdallahi because of his injuries, Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said, according to CBS News.
Snelling said cops aren’t ruling out additional charges.
Alderperson Debra Silverstein expressed outrage about the lack of hate crime charges filed against Abdallahi.
“I am very disappointed by this turn of events and strongly encourage the Cook County State’s Attorney Office to prosecute the offender to the full extent of the law,” Silverstein told the Sun-Times.
“The Jewish community is always on high alert, and this is just adding to our anxiety,” she added.
