Chicago police are not pursuing hate crime charges against a Muslim man who shot and injured a visibly Jewish man as he made his way to shul on Shabbos morning – despite video obtained by YWN showing the suspect shouting “Allah Akbar” as he fired at police and paramedics in a subsequent shootout. The suspect, identified by police as 22-year-old Chicago resident Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, faces over a dozen serious felony charges, including six counts of attempted first-degree murder and seven counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm at police officers. After allegedly shooting the 39-year-old Jewish man in the 2600 block of West Farwell Avenue around 9:30 a.m., Abdallahi engaged in an exchange of gunfire with responding police officers, who ultimately shot and apprehended him. He remains in critical condition at a local hospital.   Local residents were stunned to learn that authorities have not considered hate crime charges in what appeared to be a targeted attack on a Jewish man simply walking to shul. “Notably, and despite evidence that seems to suggest an antisemitic motive for the shooting, authorities did not file hate crime charges,” Alderman Debra Silverstein of the 50th Ward wrote in a statement. “Law enforcement shares our disgust at a Jewish man being the victim of violence over the Jewish holidays,” Silverstein asserted, adding that police have asked the community to assist in providing any information or footage relevant to the investigation. She noted that police have recovered a weapon and are continuing their investigation, and officials insist that further charges, including potential hate crime charges, could be filed as more evidence comes to light. However, this assurance has done little to soothe community anger. Many, including local leaders, have been quick to criticize the decision to initially overlook what they see as clear signs of bias-driven violence. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)