The man accused of shooting a 39-year-old Jewish man in West Rogers Park in late October died after being found unresponsive in the Cook County Jail Saturday afternoon, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
During a routine security check around 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Cermak Health Services – the prison’s medical facility at 2700 S. California Ave. – Sheriff’s Office personnel discovered Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, suffering from an “apparent suicide.” attempt,” according to a press release.
Staff immediately began life-saving measures and first responders transported Abdallahi to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The cause and manner of death will be officially determined during an autopsy performed by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said there is no evidence of foul play at this time and there is no indication he was in danger of committing suicide. Per protocol, the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force will conduct an independent investigation. Abdallahi was being held on various charges, including attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, hate crime and terrorism.
Abdallahi was admitted to Cermak Health Services on Nov. 15 after being treated for a gunshot wound at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. The transfer was made after medical and mental health assessments were completed to help determine appropriate housing for people based on the level of care they need.
On October 26 around 9:30 a.m., in the 2600 block of West Farwell Avenue, a 39-year-old Orthodox Jew wearing traditional clothing was walking toward a nearby synagogue when Abdallahi is accused of approaching from behind and shooting him. above. in the shoulder. Neighbors came to the injured man’s aid while the shooter remained nearby.
Abdallahi was arrested following a shootout with Chicago police officers. He allegedly opened fire on the police officers and paramedics who intervened, then was shot dead by the police. The 39-year-old man was treated and released from hospital.
Chicago Police Commissioner Larry Snelling said at a news conference that detectives discovered evidence on Abdallahi’s cell phone that “indicated he planned the shooting and specifically targeted people of faith Jewish.
The attack occurred in a neighborhood that is home to the city’s highest concentration of Jewish citizens and prompted calls for the state’s attorney’s office to include hate crime charges against Abdallahi.
Madeline Buckley and Sam Charles of the Chicago Tribune contributed.
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