Cover-Up and Fear: The Shooting of an Orthodox Jewish Man in Chicago Raises Concerns
Aftermath of the Shooting
Last weekend, a shocking incident took place in Rogers Park, Chicago. An Orthodox Jewish man was shot while walking to his synagogue on the Sabbath. As the media quickly gathered and disseminated information about the victim’s background, it was revealed that the suspect, 22-year-old Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, was a Mauritanian national who was in the U.S. illegally.
Following the attack, fear began to rise within Chicago’s Jewish community. The lack of information from the Chicago Police Department and Mayor Brandon Johnson caused concern. It took five days for Mayor Johnson to acknowledge the religious background of Abdallahi’s Jewish victim. Additionally, the police did not disclose what Abdallahi shouted while shooting at officers, despite circulating Ring camera footage.
Growing Calls for Hate Crime Charges
The distance between Abdallahi’s address, listed in a police news release, and Rogers Park raised eyebrows. Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, pointed out that Abdallahi went out of his way to travel a significant distance for the alleged attack.
During a news conference, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling announced additional felony charges against Abdallahi for a hate crime and terrorism. This brought the total number of charges against Abdallahi to 16. Snelling revealed that evidence on the suspect’s phone indicated that he had planned the shooting and specifically targeted people of the Jewish faith.
Revealing Immigration Status
Details about Abdallahi’s immigration status were not provided during the news conference. However, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson Erin Bultje confirmed that Abdallahi was apprehended while entering the country near San Ysidro in March and was subsequently released inside the U.S.
Richard Goldberg, a former NSC official in the Trump administration, expressed his belief that the shooting was an act of terrorism committed by someone who entered the country illegally and was allowed to stay under Biden-Harris policies. He also claimed that Democratic officials tried to suppress information flow to prevent any potential impact on the presidential election.
Mayor’s Response and Antisemitism Concerns
During a press conference, Mayor Johnson was questioned about his failure to identify the victim’s religious background in previous statements. Instead of addressing the question directly, Johnson emphasized his responsibility to keep every community safe. However, he has faced criticism in the past for contributing to an environment of antisemitism in Chicago.
Alderman Debra Silverstein expressed dissatisfaction with the early responses to the shooting, stating that City Hall does not have the Jewish community’s back. Silverstein also raised concerns about antisemitism in Chicago Public Schools, citing an incident where students were advised not to wear blue and white (the colors of the Israeli flag) due to safety concerns.
Calls for Resignation and Lack of Response
Amidst the controversy surrounding Abdallahi’s shooting, it was revealed that the newly appointed president of the Chicago Board of Education, the Rev. Mitchell Johnson, had a history of posting inflammatory antisemitic and anti-Israel content on social media. Alderman Silverstein and other officials called for his resignation, which was ultimately accepted by the mayor.
Despite repeated attempts to reach Mayor Johnson and Governor J.B. Pritzker for comment, neither office responded. The Chicago Police Department referred all questions about the shooter to their prior news releases.
The shooting of an Orthodox Jewish man in Chicago has raised concerns about a potential cover-up and the presence of antisemitism in the city. As the investigation continues, the community demands transparency and justice for the victim.
