Mayor Faces Backlash from Chicago Jews Over Response to Orthodox Man's Shooting

Following a recent attack on an Orthodox Jewish man walking to synagogue in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood, Mayor Brandon Johnson faced backlash for his response, which omitted mention of the victim’s Jewish identity. The incident occurred on Saturday and involved 22-year-old Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, who later engaged in a shootout with police. Abdallahi now faces 14 felony charges, including attempted first-degree murder, but has not been charged with hate crimes a point of contention within Chicago’s Jewish community.

In his public statement shared Tuesday, Johnson expressed condolences for the victim but failed to address the potentially antisemitic nature of the attack. “On behalf of the City of Chicago, our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his loved ones from this weekend’s shooting incident,” he said. Local Jewish leaders, including City Council member Debra Silverstein, criticized Johnson’s message, calling it an erasure of the victim’s Jewish identity.

“The victim was a Jewish man, who was wearing traditional Jewish garb, walking to a Jewish place of worship on the Jewish day of rest,” Silverstein responded on X (formerly Twitter). “Don’t erase his identity and don’t try to minimize the fear and anxiety my community feels after this attack.”

This incident adds to a growing tension between Johnson and Chicago’s Jewish community. In January, Johnson cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, a move that drew disapproval from local Jewish organizations. Johnson later referred to the Gaza conflict as “genocidal” ahead of this summer’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago, further straining relations with the community.

Criticism of Johnson’s handling of Saturday’s attack extended beyond Chicago. New York Representative Ritchie Torres questioned the mayor’s reluctance to acknowledge antisemitism as a potential motive. “Why not mention WHY the victim was shot (because he was Jewish)?” Torres posted. “Any Mayor who cannot be bothered to acknowledge the antisemitism of a hate crime against a Jewish man heading to a synagogue is unworthy of the office he holds.”

Mayor Johnson’s response came days after Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Senator Dick Durbin issued statements that referenced the rise in antisemitism and called for a thorough examination of the shooter’s motives. “The motivation of the shooter deserves a complete and thorough examination to determine if this should additionally be charged as a hate crime,” Pritzker stated. Durbin echoed similar concerns, underscoring the importance of combating rising antisemitism.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling and other officials have urged patience while the investigation continues. At a press conference, Snelling stated, “We’re continuing to investigate based on the facts and evidence available. We don’t just go in and assume that everything is a hate crime, but what we don’t do is rule out the possibility that it could be.” Footage from the incident reportedly shows Abdallahi shouting “Allahu akbar” as he engaged with officers, though police clarified this occurred during his confrontation with law enforcement and not while targeting the Jewish victim.

For Chicago’s Jewish community, Saturday’s attack and the perceived lack of official recognition of its antisemitic undertones have deepened concerns. “Saturday’s crime feels like a hate crime,” David Goldenberg, the Anti-Defamation League’s Midwest regional director, remarked at a press conference. “Regardless of where the investigation lands, Chicago’s Jewish community has been rocked. And Saturday’s shooting is just the latest.”

As the investigation proceeds, Jewish leaders are calling for stronger support from city officials to combat rising antisemitism and reassure a shaken community. For updates on developments affecting Jewish communities and responses to antisemitism, share this article or subscribe to our newsletter.