Residents of Chicago’s North Side Jewish community are concerned a hate crime may have led to a shooting on Saturday, which later escalated into a gunfight with police. According to police, the suspect, a 23-year-old, initially shot a 39-year-old man in the shoulder as he was walking to a synagogue around 9:30 a.m. on West Farwell Avenue. Soon after, the suspect reportedly emerged from an alley and opened fire on officers and paramedics, damaging an ambulance. Police then fired back, critically injuring the suspect.
Local resident Abraham Trachtman, who was on his way to the synagogue, recounted his shock upon hearing his sister’s warning that a Jewish man had been shot nearby. Trachtman noted the area’s strong Orthodox Jewish presence and questioned why the shooter appeared to single out this particular victim without any demands. Witness Marcia Lawrence reported hearing multiple rounds of gunfire in the neighborhood, describing the sound as unmistakable.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the police’s response, and officers involved are on standard administrative duties for at least 30 days.
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