A Jewish man on his way to shul on Shabbos morning was shot in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood, triggering a tense standoff between police and the gunman – who may have shouted “Allah Akbar!” as he fired at officers, footage obtained by YWN shows.
The incident unfolded around 9:35 a.m. Shabbos morning in the 2600 block of North Washtenaw Avenue, an area home to a large Orthodox Jewish community. The 39-year-old victim was walking in the neighborhood when he was approached from behind by an armed suspect, who opened fire, striking him in the shoulder, according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Around 9:55 a.m., the suspect, who had fled into an alley, returned and began firing shots at police and paramedics. Police reported that an ambulance was hit by gunfire during the chaotic exchange, which lasted for approximately two and a half minutes as the suspect fired from multiple locations in the area.
The standoff ended near the 6800 block of North Washtenaw Avenue, where officers returned fire, hitting the suspect several times. The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was transported to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition. Officers recovered the firearm used in the shooting, police said.
The injured victim received treatment at a nearby hospital and has since been released. Authorities reported no injuries to officers during the incident.
Jewish community activists are furious that Chicago police have made zero mention of the victim being Jewish, nor have they provided or even suggested any motive for the shooting, which appears to have directly targeted Jews – at the conclusion of a major holiday, Sukkos. Activists are now demanding answers from police officials to explain their apparent indifference to the worrying details of the unprovoked and – unless it was terrorism – inexplicable attack.
DOES THE SUSPECT SCREAM ALLAH AKBAR? LISTEN TO THE VIDEO BELOW WITH THE EXCHANGE OF GUNFIRE (Allah Akbar at 42 Seconds)
The shooting happened following the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret/Simchas Torah, and it took place in a West Ridge neighborhood that holds the city’s largest population of Orthodox Jewish residents.
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12 Responses
It definitely sounds like he said Alahu Akbar.
I am a member of this community in Chicago and also part of a neighborhood safety group here. The fact that you guys are jumping to conclusions and putting out sensationalist headlines is not only wrong, but it is damaging to our community because we are in direct contact with the police and they are in the middle of investigating. They do not need to put out any information before they have concrete proof one way or another. Please do not speak for us and please do not sow fear just to get clicks.
I slowed the audio down and listened 5 times. Clear as day. Allah akbar.
ayfiltersthenews – YWN jumped to conclusions? Where in this article is there a “conclusion”? Looks like they asked legitimate questions.
Why don’t the police mention in their statement that a man armed with a gun walked into the largest Orthodox Jewish community, and randomly shot an ORTHODOX MAN WALKING TO SHUL ON SHABBOS – the morning after Shmini Atzeres? Why is this a secret? Why was that clearly omitted from the police statement? They didn’t have this “proof” yet?
It’s fact.
Man walks into Jewish community on Shabbos morning. Whips out a gun. Shoots visibly orthodox Jewish man. POLICE IGNORE these details. And you come along and help the cover up. Seems like your “neighborhood safety group” is doing a wonderful job. What a joke.
Just wait until police say he was mentally disturbed and meant no harm. It was a big misunderstanding.
ayfilter,
He very clearly said Allahu Akbar, there’s not much to investigate here. I respect what you do for the community but I don’t think YWN has to be naive and not say it as it is. (And for the record, from the article it appears that Chicago community askanim are furious at the lack of mentioning exactly what you’re saying not to mention).
This is the 3rd(?) Frum Jew shot in West Rogers park in the last 3-5 years
clearly says allah akbar. anyone who says otherwise is a fool
Shulem Rant has the real facts. No one should follow YWN. They are all liars. This was nothing more than a person looking for a kosher meal, and he was ignored and by mistake his weapon happened to fire in the direction of the only person walking on the street with a yarmulka, and then hid until the cops came and then accidentally had a massive shootout with police. It was a big misunderstanding. Everyone needs to chill out and stop reading the fake lies on ywn
Chicago Police are covering this up, Clearly.
Why didn’t they at the very least announce that this may have been a hate crime and? Why did they clearly ignore the facts that the victim shot was an Orthodox Jew in a Jewish neighborhood?
Why are some people sticking up for the police here?
Frum Chocagoans: although your Lefty City is very strict on handheld firearms (except for gang members on the south side), the First Amendment allows you to possess one in your home and even defend it under the Illinois castle doctrine. Take a course and periodically sharpen your skills at a range as part of your hishtadlus. Daven to Hashem that you may never need to use it.
jpa: This is incorrect. It’s quite easy by blue state standards to get a concealed carry license in Illinois, including in Chicago, and has been for about 10 years. Certainly easier than NY or NJ.