An illegal immigrant from Mauritania targeted and shot an Orthodox Jewish man in Chicago last October, marking what experts call the first known terror attack on US soil by a foreign national who crossed the southern border illegally.
At a Glance
- Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, an illegal immigrant from Mauritania, shot a Jewish man heading to synagogue in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood
- Abdallahi was previously apprehended at the San Diego border in March 2023 and released into the US
- The attacker, who reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the incident, later committed suicide in jail
- The FBI initially left investigation to local authorities but has now opened a full probe into the attack
- Questions remain about how Abdallahi obtained weapons and whether he had accomplices
Attack Details and Immigration Status
The suspect in the October 26 Chicago synagogue shooting has been identified as Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, a Mauritanian national who illegally entered the United States. Border Patrol agents apprehended Abdallahi in San Diego in March 2023 but subsequently released him into the country. The victim, a 39-year-old Orthodox Jewish man, was attacked in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood while walking to a synagogue but survived his injuries.
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Abdallahi was quickly identified after the shooting and reportedly fired at responding police officers before being shot and apprehended. Authorities charged him with 14 felony counts, including six counts of attempted murder. Chicago police reported that officers “returned fire, striking the offender,” who was then “placed into custody, transported to an area hospital and subsequently charged accordingly.”
National Security Implications
Mauritania, a majority Muslim country in northwest Africa, is categorized by the Department of Homeland Security as a nation whose travelers should receive heightened scrutiny. The DHS classifies Mauritanians as “special interest aliens” due to potential security concerns. This case has intensified worries about possible terrorists exploiting the southern border crisis, especially as Mauritanian arrivals in the US have surged, with over 15,000 entering last year alone.
“The main suspect is dead, but the big questions are: who are his co-conspirators, or was this part of a larger plot?” said James Conway, a retired FBI agent commenting on the case. “Who might have funded him? Are there sleepers still out there laying low? They’re still looking at it. That’s a good thing.”
A recent House report revealed that DHS released at least 99 illegal immigrants who appeared on the terrorist watchlist between 2021 and 2023, further fueling concerns about vetting procedures for migrants crossing the border. The attack represents what experts describe as the first known terror attack on US soil by a foreign national who illegally crossed the southern border.
Investigation Challenges
Illinois prosecutors employed a rarely-used 9/11-era state anti-terrorism statute to charge Abdallahi, while ICE placed a detainer on him. However, Cook County’s “sanctuary” policies typically prevent cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The investigation faced a significant setback when Abdallahi hanged himself in Cook County jail, eliminating the possibility of a trial and complicating efforts to determine if he had accomplices.
“Hopefully, they do uncover it so to prevent anything like this from ever happening again,” said the victim’s wife, expressing hope that the investigation will reveal the full circumstances behind the attack.
Data recovered from Abdallahi’s cell phone revealed his interest in jihadist ideology and antisemitism, according to investigators. While local Jewish leaders suspected a hate crime, no hate crime charges were filed before Abdallahi’s death. The FBI, which initially left the investigation to local authorities, has now confirmed it has opened an ongoing investigation into the attack.
Questions still remain about Abdallahi’s border entry process, his activities during his time in the US, potential connections to terrorist networks, and how he obtained the weapon used in the attack. Todd Bensman, a senior national security fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, has been tracking the case and its implications for border security policy.
