Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, a 22-year-old man from Chicago, has been charged with 14 felonies after allegedly shooting a Jewish man who was on his way to a local synagogue in Chicago’s Rogers Park district. The victim, wearing a kippah, was shot multiple times and treated in a hospital. Abdallahi is facing charges of first-degree murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm at officers and firefighters. Despite evidence suggesting an antisemitic motive, hate crime charges have not been filed, sparking concern among community leaders and residents, including Ald. Debra Silverstein and Rabbi Shlomo Soroka.
The FBI is working with local law enforcement to provide resources and assistance, following a rise in attacks on Jews and Muslims in the U.S. after recent events. The shooting comes six years after the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in U.S. history, when a gunman opened fire on a congregation at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
The incident has heightened fear and anxiety among local Jews, with some questioning why hate crime charges have not been pursued. Superintendent Larry Snelling stated that while there is a possibility of adding hate crime charges, there is currently insufficient evidence. Snelling acknowledged the impact of rising tensions and hate rhetoric on neighborhoods and communities, emphasizing the need for a sense of safety and calm in the area.
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