CHICAGO (WLS) — New details are emerging about the suspect in a shooting that wounded an Orthodox Jewish man in West Rogers Park.
The 22-year-old suspect, who is not from Chicago, is now facing hate crime charges.
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According to ABC7, Immigration and Customs Enforcement stated that Sidi Muhammad Abdallahi is a citizen of Mauritania who was first encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol in the United States last year. This has prompted the involvement of various federal agencies in the ongoing investigation.
On Thursday, Chicago police leveled new charges of terrorism and hate crimes against Abdallahi. Authorities mentioned that evidence found on his phone suggested he was plotting an attack targeting individuals of the Jewish faith.
ICE has now joined the investigation and has informed ABC7 that they have placed a removal detainer on the suspect. This detainer ensures that the agency will be notified if he is set to be released from custody.
“We know he’s not from Chicago but establishing addresses, residency, when he got here… all those things are things we continue to work on,” said CPD Supt. Larry Snelling.
Abdallahi has not appeared in court yet as he remains in the ICU for injuries suffered in a shootout with police. That shootout happened just 20 minutes after he allegedly shot a 39-year-old man near North Washtenaw Avenue.
ICE confirmed Abdallahi was first found by U.S Border Patrol in March of 2023 near San Ysidro, California.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said her team is not ready to comment on the immigration status of the suspect.
“At the next court date, it is our intention, as we had just two days ago, to do a full recitation of the proffer, which will include that level of detail. We will make that information available next week,” Foxx said.
While local authorities continue to work with federal agencies in the investigation, Chicago police do not believe there is a wider threat of terrorism in play here.
“The evidence we have right now says that he was working alone. We don’t want anyone out there in fear of a network out there of people engaged in this activity,” Snelling said.
Abdallahi is due back in court next week, pending his condition in the hospital.
Additional federal charges could come into play as the investigation continues.
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