The man accused of shooting a 39-year-old Jewish man in West Rogers Park at the end of October has died after being found unresponsive in Cook County Jail Saturday afternoon, according to the Cook County sheriff’s office.
While conducting a routine security check at approximately 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Cermak Health Services — the medical facility in the jail at 2700 S. California Ave. — the sheriff’s office staff found Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, having suffered from an “apparent suicide attempt,” according to a statement.
Staffers immediately initiated lifesaving 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 in an autopsy by the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
The sheriff’s office said there is no evidence of foul play at this time. Following protocol, the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force will be conducting an independent investigation. Abdallahi was being held on various charges including attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, hate crime and terrorism.
Abdallah was admitted to Cermak Health Services on Nov. 15 after receiving treatment for a gunshot wound at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. The transfer was made after medical and mental health evaluations used to help determine appropriate housing for individuals based on the level of care they require were conducted.
Around 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 26, in the 2600 block of West Farwell Avenue, a 39-year-old Orthodox Jewish man wearing traditional dress was on his way to a nearby synagogue when Abdallahi is accused of approaching from behind and shooting him in the shoulder. Neighbors came to the aid of the wounded man while the shooter remained in the area.
Abdallahi was arrested following 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 the hospital.
Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling said in a news conference that detectives had uncovered evidence on Abdallahi’s cellphone that “indicated he planned the shooting and specifically targeted people of Jewish faith.”
The attack happened in a neighborhood that is home to the highest concentration of Jewish citizens in the city and spurred calls to the state’s attorney’s office to include hate crime charges against Abdallahi.
Chicago Tribune’s Madeline Buckley and Sam Charles contributed.
