Nearly seven months have elapsed since a deadly incident involving illegal immigrants from Mauritania, who shot an orthodox Jewish man in Chicago on October 26. The assailant, after the shooting, got into a violent confrontation with police, shouting “Alahu Akbar.”
This marked the first officially recognized terrorist attack on U.S. soil by individuals who had crossed the southern border illegally.
In an unusual twist, the FBI, under President Biden, seemed relatively unconcerned about the Chicago incident, transferring the investigation to local law enforcement and state officials.
This uncharacteristic approach coincided with the days leading up to the national presidential election. Reports indicated that the shooter had a significant interest in jihadist ideology, anti-Semitism, and geopolitical tensions involving Hamas.
Before the FBI took a visible role in the investigation, the suspect was already in custody at the Cook County Jail. This situation complicated any understanding of whether federal border security had tracked his movements leading up to the attack.
However, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from the Center for Immigration Studies, the FBI has confirmed it launched an investigation into this unprecedented cross-border terrorist act. Strangely, the inquiry continues even after the defendant’s reported suicide.
“The documents related to your requests are law enforcement materials,” stated the FBI, noting that revealing them might interfere with ongoing investigations.
Abdalahi’s suicide has left many questions unanswered regarding his entry from Tijuana, Mexico, on March 30, 2023, his immigration status, whether he had an accomplice, and the extent of the FBI’s investigation.
Months after the attack, the case was handed over to state prosecutors, who initially hesitated to label the lawsuit as terrorism until they formally charged him with it.
James Conway, a former FBI supervisory special agent with extensive experience in terrorism, suggested that Hamas might have had connections with Abdalahi, though investigations continued.
One pressing question remains: how did he acquire the semi-automatic handgun used in the attack?
“The main suspect is deceased, but the critical issue is: who was his accomplice?” Conway remarked. “Who funded him? Are there others still lying low? This is something they’re keeping an eye on, which is reassuring.”
Victims of Abdalahi, including the man’s wife, shared their experiences with the Center for Immigration Studies in December but chose to remain anonymous out of fear for their safety.
Upon learning that the FBI investigation persisted seven months after the attack, the victim’s wife expressed hope for a thorough investigation, saying, “We wish they would uncover everything and clarify what truly transpired.” She added, “We hope this will help prevent similar incidents in the future.”
