Suspect charged with shooting man, shooting at Chicago police officers, paramedics
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The suspect whom Chicago police shot and critically wounded on the city's North Side on Saturday after he allegedly shot a man and then opened fire on police and paramedics was charged with attempted first-degree murder.
Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, of Chicago, faces six counts of attempted first-degree murder, seven counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, and aggravated battery.
Police said the suspect shot a 39-year-old man in the 2600 block of West Farwell around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.
After first responders arrived at the scene, the suspect is alleged to have opened fire on them and struck an ambulance. No officers or paramedics were hit.
Chicago police officers returned fire and hit the suspect multiple times. Police recovered a weapon at the scene.
Abdallahi was arrested and taken to an area hospital, initially reported in critical condition. Police did not have an update as to his condition on Monday.
Abraham Trachtman, a resident in the West Ridge area, told CBS News Chicago he feared the initial shooting of the 39-year-old victim was a hate crime because the victim was a Jewish man who was walking to a local synagogue Saturday morning. Trachtman noted there is a large Orthodox Jewish population in the area.
Chicago police have not said whether the shooting appeared to be a hate crime. The suspect was not charged with committing a hate crime.
Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) echoed concerns that community members had about the shooting. She said she would like to see hate crime charges filed against the suspect.
"The victim of this senseless violence should have been able to walk safely without fear as every person in this city should be able to do," Silverstein said at a news conference on Monday.
Silverstein said she visited with the victim on Saturday night after being released from the hospital and is doing "OK."
Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said detectives had not been able to determine a motive for the initial shooting because they hadn't had the chance to interview the suspect because of his injuries. Snelling didn't rule out the possibility of additional charges, but said the investigation is continuing. Chicago police said the suspect remained hospitalized on Monday after being shot.
Abdallahi was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the police shooting of the suspect. Officers who were involved in that shooting will be placed on routine administrative duties for at least 30 days.