Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, a young Mauritanian facing felony terrorism and hate crime charges for an October 2024 shooting in Chicago, has died by apparent suicide, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office said on December 2.
Abdallahi, who had been held in the jail’s medical facility after mental health evaluations, was found unresponsive on November 30 during a routine check. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital. Authorities found no signs of foul play or prior suicide risk.
Abdallahi was accused of firing at a Jewish man near a synagogue on October 26, then shooting at officers and paramedics, before being wounded in return fire. The victim recovered, and no police were injured.
Investigators found evidence on Abdallahi’s phone suggesting he targeted Jewish individuals. In addition to terrorism and hate crime charges, he faced several attempted murder charges. Abdallahi had entered the U.S. in March 2023, and ICE had lodged an immigration detainer following his arrest.
The Mauritanian community in the U.S. has called for an independent investigation into Abdallahi’s death and the police response. The Cook County Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy.