The man accused of fatally shooting a 39-year-old Jewish man in West Rogers Park in late October has died after being found unconscious in the Cook County Jail on Saturday afternoon, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office said.
While conducting a routine security check Saturday at approximately 3:30 p.m. at Cermak Health Services – the prison medical facility at 2700 S. California Ave. – sheriff’s office staff found Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, suffering from an “apparent suicide.” attempt,” a statement said.
Staffers immediately initiated life-saving measures and first responders took Abdallahi to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The cause and manner of death will be officially determined during an autopsy by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.
The sheriff’s office said there are no indications of foul play at this time. Per protocol, the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force will conduct an independent investigation. Abdallahi was held on suspicion of several charges, including attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, hate crimes and terrorism.
Abdallah was admitted to Cermak Health Services on Nov. 15 after being treated for a gunshot wound at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. The transfer occurred after medical and mental health evaluations were conducted to help determine appropriate housing for individuals based on the level of care they require.
Around 9:30 a.m. on October 26, in the 2600 block of West Farwell Avenue, a 39-year-old Orthodox Jewish man dressed in traditional clothing was heading to a nearby synagogue when Abdallahi was accused of approaching from behind and shooting him. in the shoulder. Neighbors came to the wounded man’s aid while the gunman remained nearby.
Abdallahi was arrested after a shootout with Chicago police officers. He allegedly opened fire on responding officers and paramedics and was later shot by police. The 39-year-old man was treated and later released from hospital.
Chicago Police Chief Larry Snelling said at a news conference that detectives found evidence on Abdallahi’s cellphone that “indicated he planned the shooting and specifically targeted people of Jewish faith.”
The attack took place in a neighborhood that has the city’s highest concentration of Jewish citizens and led to calls for the prosecutor’s office to file hate crime charges against Abdallahi.
Madeline Buckley and Sam Charles of the Chicago Tribune contributed.
