Secure Community Network Statement On Shooting Of Jewish Man In Chicago’s West Rogers Park Neighborhood Saturday

On Saturday, 26 October 2024, a Jewish man was shot as he was walking to synagogue in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood. In response, the Secure Community Network, the official safety and security organization of the North American Jewish community, has been in contact with the Jewish United Fund of Chicago (JUF), as well as relevant law enforcement partners — including the Chicago Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) —  on the assault on the community member.

“SCN has been in close contact with our partners at JUF and law enforcement. SCN has been briefed on the investigation and is confident, based on what has been shared with us, that law enforcement understands the gravity of the incident and is pursuing all possible leads and motives; we understand that the investigation into the shooter and his motivations is being conducted by a large team of local and federal law enforcement personnel that covers two continents. Due to the complex and ongoing investigation, it is important that we allow law enforcement to do their work and avoid unverified rumors and misinformation until credible updates are provided by the authorities.”

JUF President Lonnie Nasatir spoke to the response effort in an interview yesterday: “Assuming the investigation is complete and that there is evidence to indicate that he was targeted because he was Jewish, then I have all confidence that law enforcement — whether it be the state’s or the feds — will prosecute this as a hate crime for sure, and we would expect nothing different.”

Addressing the Chicago Police Department’s assurances that it is putting more patrols out into the neighborhood following the incident, Nasatir said, “It just sends the message to the community that they’re on it and they have their back and they’re being very mindful of what they’ve gone through for the last 24 to 48 hours…It’s an important thing, whenever there’s a potential hate crime in a community, for law enforcement to overdo it almost with their presence and their recognition that the community has been traumatized.”

SCN recommends those looking for additional information rely on trusted, verified sources like law enforcement, JUF, and credible news outlets. Any community members in need of resources or additional support can contact JUF’s security program.

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