Immigration officials confirmed Thursday that the man suspected of shooting a Jew while attending a temple in Chicago, crossed into the United States illegally 18 months ago.

The Chicago Police Department has charged Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, with 14 felonies after he allegedly shot the victim multiple times in the city’s Rogers Park neighborhood on Saturday: six counts of attempted murder in first degree, seven counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm at a police office and one count of aggravated battery/discharge of a firearm.

The neighborhood is home to approximately 20,000 Jews.

Abdallahi was initially reported as an illegal immigrant, but officials said Newsweek Tuesday that no contact was made with him. However, on the same day, his status was confirmed when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers lodged an inmate at the Cook County Jail.

“Mohamed Abdallahi was encountered by US Border Patrol on March 31, 2023, near San Ysidro, California,” a spokesperson confirmed. Newsweek Thursday, adding that the suspect is a Mauritian citizen.

ICE’s detainer on Abdallahi means the agency will seek to arrest him once he is released from local custody, regardless of whether he has bailed or served his sentence.

Some witnesses to the shooting claim the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar,” the Arabic phrase for “God is greater,” as he fired the gun into the victim’s back, according to local media reports. This has left community leaders questioning why police have not filed hate crime charges.

“Saturday’s shooting of a member of the Orthodox community who was going to Shabbat services was the realization of the worst fear that many have, and that is not okay,” David Goldenberg, Midwest regional director for the League of Anti- Defamation, adding that Chicago leaders needed to act to help Jewish residents feel safe.

Calls for hate crime charges continued in the following days, but the Chicago Police Department has yet to announce any. Superintendent Larry Snelling said at a news conference Monday that the investigation is still ongoing.

The Jewish Alliance of Chicago urged its followers to reach out to local leaders on Wednesday.

“We cannot remain silent. Join us in urging our councilmen, mayor and district attorney to denounce this act of hate for what it is – a crime against our community,” the organization posted on X, the former Twitter. “Let’s flood their inboxes with letters, showing our city leaders that we demand justice and accountability. Your voice matters; make it heard.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson, who had not initially commented on the incident, posted on X Tuesday night.

“Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his loved ones from this weekend’s shooting incident in Rogers Park,” he said. “All Chicagoans deserve to feel safe and protected in the city.

“There is more work to be done and we are committed to diligently improving community safety in every neighborhood.”