A Jewish man was shot multiple times in the shoulder as he was walking to a synagogue in Chicago on Saturday in broad daylight, Fox 32 Chicago, the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), and the Chicago Police Department announced on Sunday.
The man, 39, was shot by a 23-year-old gunman in the 2,600 block of North Washtenaw Avenue, which is home to many Orthodox Jewish families.
The gunman, who has yet to be identified, was heard on a security camera recording screaming “Allahu akbar” before engaging in a two-and-a-half-minute shootout with the police.
The Chicago Police Department told JNS that the incident was under investigation but did not directly confirm that the victim was Jewish.
However, when asked if the victim was wearing anything that identified him as an Orthodox Jew during a press conference, Deputy Police chief Kevin Bruno said that “the victim is from the community.”
NEW: Video footage from yesterday as a man shoots at a Chicago Fire Department ambulance, then toward a man walking a dog, before running to engage Chicago cops in a shootout.CPD says he had successfully shot another man in the area about 20 minutes earlier. pic.twitter.com/J0yKp6Gb4A
— CWBChicago (@CWBChicago) October 27, 2024
Bruno said that at 9:35 a.m., the man was walking in West Rogers Park “when an armed offender approached from behind and fired shots at the victim, striking the victim in the shoulder.”
“Responding officers responded to the scene, and as they were on the scene, at about 9:55, the offender reemerged from an alley and fired shots at the officers and at the responding paramedics,” as well as at an ambulance, he said.“Over the next two-and-a-half minutes, the offender emerged from various locations and exchanged shots with the officers,” Bruno added.
Jewish community responds
In a video posted to social media, the shooter could be seen shooting toward a Chicago Fire Department ambulance, which speedily drove away, and then at a man walking a dog before engaging in the shootout.The attacker was shot multiple times and is in critical condition, Bruno added. As for the victim, he has been released from hospital.
Debra Silverstein, the alderman of Chicago’s 50th Ward, said that “the victim is in stable condition and is recovering at home.”
Silverstein, who is Jewish, told JNS that she visited the victim and prayed for his recovery.
“The shooting happened on Shabbat following the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. I spoke with Superintendent Larry Snelling, who assured me that there is no more known threat and has committed the full support of the Chicago Police Department to ensuring the safety of our community.”
Islamic terror attack? On Oct. 26 in a North Side neighborhood in Chicago, a Jewish man walking to the synagogue was shot by a suspect. When first responders arrived, the gunman shouted, "Allahu akbar" and fired upon them too. The gunman was shot by returning fire from police… pic.twitter.com/Jydt5usMLp
— Andy Ngo ️ (@MrAndyNgo) October 28, 2024
“It’s great to see the community step in and offer assistance,” Bruno added.