(Lauren)
An immigrant hate crime suspect accused of shooting a Jewish man entering a Chicago synagogue has died after he was found unresponsive during routine searches at the prison's health center.
The Cook County Sheriff's Office said Sunday that 22-year-old Sidi Muhammad Abdullahi was found unresponsive “in an apparent suicide attempt by hanging” Saturday afternoon.
Abdullah was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where his death was confirmed.
Earlier this month, Chicago authorities charged Abdullah with felony terrorism and hate crimes — after police said he shot a 39-year-old Jewish man outside a synagogue in the West Ridge neighborhood on October 27.
Originally, Abdullah was charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder, seven counts of aggravated shooting and aggravated battery.
The hate crimes and terrorism charges were added after Police Commissioner Larry Snelling said the investigation revealed that Abdullah targeted the man because he was Jewish.
Abdullah was also accused of shooting at first responders and police officers who arrived at the scene. The police returned fire and beat Abdullah several times at the stock exchange.
Abdullah was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
He was later transferred to the prison's medical facility.
The sheriff's office said foul play was not suspected in Abdullah's death, and there was no indication he was at risk of suicide.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that Abdullah came across the southern US border in San Ysidro, California in March 2023.
