18-year-old charged in fatal shooting of his father in Oak Lawn

An 18-year-old man accused of gunning down his father earlier this week in southwest suburban Oak Lawn appeared in court on Thursday in Bridgeview.

Sami Mdanat is charged with murder in the death of Ayed Mdanat, who had been shot multiple times when police found him inside his home in the 10400 block of South Austin Avenue on Monday, police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. Patrol officers had headed to that address about 10:45 p.m. in response to a report of a person shot.

In court documents, prosecutors alleged that Sami Mdanat was at the house with a cousin, and argued with his father sometime after 10 p.m. because his father was upset that the cousin was still there.

After the cousin left, Sami Mdanat went to his r0om and closed the door. He placed a video call to his cousin, and, according to court documents, prosecutors believe he told the cousin, who was parked nearby, that he would shoot his father if he came through the bedroom door.

Sami Mdanat put the phone down, camera facing up, allowing the cousin to hear yelling, and pounding on the door, and then four shots, according to court documents.

Mdanat, 50, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead at 11:18 p.m., according to the medical examiner’s office. An autopsy Tuesday determined he died of multiple gunshot wounds, and his death was ruled a homicide.

A large-caliber firearm was recovered at the scene, police said.

Responding officers identified the shooter as the victim’s son. Sami Mdanat had fled after the shooting but was found nearby a short time later, police said.

Detectives executed several search warrants, leading to the murder charges for the son, who at Thursday’s hearing was ordered detained. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 29.