Posted on 10/29/24
| News Source: The National News Desk
Chicago Alderman Debra Silverman, D-Ward 50, on Monday demanded for hate crime charges to be filed in relation to the recent shooting of a Jewish community member celebrating a religious holiday.
The man was shot in the shoulder Saturday while on his way to a synagogue to celebrate the Jewish holiday Shabbat, according to Silverman. Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi was identified as the suspect and was charged with 14 felony counts Monday in connection with the shooting, she said.
The charges included six first-degree counts of attempted murder, but none relating to a hate crime.
Abdallahi allegedly opened fire on police and paramedics who arrived on the scene to assist the Jewish man, Silverman wrote. She added police returned fire, resulting in the shooter being taken to the hospital in critical condition. No officers were harmed during the incident.
“Notably, and despite evidence that seems to suggest an antisemitic motive for the shooting, authorities did not file hate crime charges,” Silverman wrote. “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."
The police have assured me that they are continuing to gather evidence, and additional charges – including hate crime charges – can still be added," she added.
Silverman hosted a Zoom meeting with local Jewish leaders who expressed their disbelief over the shooting.
“The police share our disgust at a Jewish man being the victim of violence over the Jewish holidays,” she wrote. “They are dedicated to committing the resources necessary to keep our community safe and they ask for the public’s help in providing any information or footage that could aid in the investigation.”
The victim “is at home in stable condition,” according to Silverman.
“I visited him this afternoon, and he is doing well,” she wrote on Saturday. “I pray for his speedy recovery.”
The incident follows Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias revoking five “October 7” license plates from state drivers this month after receiving complaints about them. One such license plate went viral on X after it was shared by Jewish advocacy organization StopAntisemitism.
The decision came amid the one-year anniversary of the terrorist invasion of Israel, which sparked the ongoing war between the Jewish state and Hamas.