CHICAGO (CBS) — The Civilian Office of Police Accountability released bodycam video Thursday of a shootout between Chicago police officers and a hate crime suspect in West Rogers Park.
Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, was confronted hate crimes and terrorism charges in the attack on a Jewish man at the end of October.
The police said at 9:30 am on Saturday, October 26 Abdallahi shot a 39-year-old man in the shoulder while that man was walking to the synagogue in the 2600 block of West Farwell Avenue.
After first responders arrived on the scene, Abdallahi allegedly opened fire on them, hitting an ambulance. No officers or paramedics were hit. Chicago police officers returned fire, striking the suspect several times. He was taken to Ascension St. Francis Hospital in Evanston in critical condition.
COPA released bodycam video Thursday of five officers who fired shots and five others who were witnesses. Officers are seen chasing Abdallahi as he runs down Washtenaw Avenue near Farwell Avenue, then confronting him along the side of the bungalow house on the corner of those two streets.
After several shots have already been heard, Abdallahi is seen lying on the side of the house wearing a maroon sweatshirt. Officers then hear orders for Abdallahi to put his hands on his stomach, because they see that he is still moving. Officers then fire more shots.
The officers then approach Abdallahi as he lies on the sidewalk with leaves from a nearby tree on his jeans and blood beneath him. The officers confiscate a weapon while providing assistance.
Abdallahi was initially charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murderseven counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated battery. Charges of a hate crime and terrorism were later added.
Police had initially said there was not enough evidence to file a hate crime charge against Abdallahi, but Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling later said that further investigation later determined that Abdallahi targeted the victim because he was Jewish.
On Friday, Nov. 15, Abdallahi was transferred from St. Francis to Cermak Health Services – the medical facility at the Cook County Jail, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
Saturday, November 30 at 3:30 p.m., Cook County Sheriff’s Office staff conducted routine checks at Cermak Health Services – and found Abdallahi unconscious, having hanged himself in a suicide attempt.
Abdallahi was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he died.
