CHICAGO (CBS) — Less than a week ago, police say a man opened fire on a Jewish man heading to the synagogue in the West Ridge neighborhood — and now the suspect is being confronted hate crimes and terrorism charges.
In the wake of the series of events, efforts are being made to increase safety in the area.
As the sun set on West Ridge, or West Rogers Park, services for the weekly Jewish observance of Shabbat began.
Last Saturday morning at 9:30 ama 39-year-old man was shot in the shoulder while walking to the synagogue in the 2600 block of West Farwell Avenue.
“Everyone is tense,” Yossi Borenstein said. “Everyone is concerned.”
On Friday evening, many made the same walk to the synagogue.
“We are relieved that the victim is okay, and certainly shocked at the same time,” said Rabbi Micah Greenland, international director of the National Conference of Synagogue Youth, or NCSY.
Rabbi Greenland lives in West Rogers Park. He said that while nervous, he fully expects his community to respond with unity — including the tradition of walking to synagogue.
“I don’t expect this community to retreat in any respect,” Groenland said. “I think everyone I know who goes to synagogue on a typical Shabbat will also go this week.”
Several synagogues in West Ridge are surrounded by bollards to prevent cars from crashing into them noticeable security presence.
The nonprofit Community Security Service trains volunteers to protect their own communities.
“Nobody knows better who belongs and who doesn’t,” says Richard Priem, head of the Community Security Service.
Unfortunately, Priem said demand for his services is increasing.
“I find it very encouraging to see so many members of our community saying that in the face of these new threats – in the face of this high level of anti-Semitism – I am going to dedicate my time, my person, to preserving my family. keep my friends safe, said Priem.
Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, had already done that facing six counts of attempted first-degree murderseven counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, and aggravated battery in the Saturday incident. On Thursday, police Supt. Larry Snelling announced that Abdallahi has also been charged with one felony count of terrorism and one felony count of hate crime.
Abdallahi is accused of shooting the man on his way to the synagogue and opening fire on police and paramedics.
After first responders arrived on the scene, the suspect allegedly opened fire on them and hit an ambulance. No officers or paramedics were hit. Chicago police officers returned fire, hitting the suspect multiple times. He was taken to hospital in critical condition.
Earlier this week, police had said there was not enough evidence to file a hate crime charge against Abdallahi, but Snelling said further investigation has since determined Abdallahi targeted the victim because he was Jewish.
Snelling said that because Abdallahi is still in the hospital after being shot by police, detectives were unable to question him, but were able to look through evidence on his phone that showed he specifically targeted Chicago’s Jewish community.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement said they first encountered the Mauritanian resident near San Diego last March.
“This is the most shocking incident to have happened in the West Rogers Park community to date,” Groenland said.
Rabbi Groenland said the shooting victim plans to visit the synagogue on Saturday.
Charlie de Mar
