The person killed in a shootout involving the FBI earlier this week in Chicago’s Homan Square neighborhood was identified as the leader of a bank robbery crew, according to court documents.
Abdulhafedh Abdulhafedh, 25, was identified in a criminal complaint as “Co-Conspirator A” in connection with a robbery at BMO Harris Bank in St. Charles on April 21. Another suspect, Dayvon Walton, was charged with bank robbery by federal prosecutors.
Authorities say Abdulhafedh was believed to be the leader and mastermind of the “100k gang.” He had been released from the Illinois Department of Corrections in January after serving time for a separate robbery.
Abdulhafedh was being investigated by the FBI for at least five robberies at BMO Harris Bank locations in the Chicago area, the criminal complaint revealed. Authorities said he had an active parole warrant issued by IDOC at the time of the shooting.
On Thursday, FBI teams saw Abdulhafedh exiting a house along West Lexington Street near South Lawndale Avenue and entering a black Cadillac Escalade. Agents attempted to pull over the vehicle, at which point three people in the SUV, including Walton, fled. Abdulhafedh remained in the vehicle.
According to court filings, the FBI made verbal and tactical efforts to get him to surrender, but he refused to comply.
“While still refusing to comply, Co-Conspirator A began firing a weapon at law enforcement officers on the scene, and agents returned fire striking Co-Conspirator A,” the filings read, in part.
Despite lifesaving attempts by agents, Abdulhafedh was pronounced dead a short time later.
As the shootout unfolded, neighbors and witnesses told NBC Chicago they heard flashbangs. One witness, who did not want to be identified, said he saw a shootout between the driver of the Escalade and federal agents. Photos captured from NBC Chicago showed the SUV riddled with bullet holes on its windshield and driver’s side.
The day following the shooting, the Cook County Medical Examiner identified the person killed as Abdulhafedh.
“The FBI takes all shooting incidents involving our agents or task force members seriously,” an FBI statement sent to NBC Chicago Thursday, the day of the shooting, said. “In accordance with FBI policy, the shooting incident is under review by the FBI’s Inspection Division. As this is an ongoing matter, we have no further details to provide.”
from NBC Chicago https://ift.tt/HUq5Wfd
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