Mohammed K. Al Hijoj, a 39-year-old limousine company owner and driver, was fatally shot on Sunday, December 3, 2023, in the North Austin area of Chicago. Al Hijoj, originally from Tafilah, Jordan, and a resident of the United States for the past 15 years, was driving his vehicle in the 1700 block of North Lotus Avenue around 5:40 p.m. when the incident occurred.
A witness reported seeing the car stop, hearing gunshots, and then observing the four male passengers jump out of the car and flee the scene.
Al Hijoj was shot several times and was pronounced dead at Loyola University Medical Center. A gun was found a few feet away from the vehicle, according to police reports. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death a homicide.
Al Hijoj was a well-respected figure in the limousine industry, known to many as "Moe." He had worked as a limo driver for over a decade and was a co-founder of the suburban Westmont-based limousine company, Chicago Worldwide Limo. He also drove for Uber Black and booked rides through direct phone calls. Al Hijoj was instrumental in creating a WhatsApp network of over 1,000 limo drivers in Chicago, providing support and assistance to his peers.
He was a devoted husband and father of three children, with the youngest being just 7 months old. Al Hijoj was also passionate about motorcycles and had plans to return to Jordan to visit his family just a week before his death. His family and friends described him as a social, honest, and helpful individual who was loved by everyone around him.
The investigation into Al Hijoj's death is ongoing, with Area 5 detectives working to determine the motive. As of the current date, no one has been arrested in connection with the shooting. A GoFundMe page was set up by a family friend to cover funeral expenses and support Al Hijoj's family, with over $68,000 raised as of December 5, 2023. Al Hijoj's body is scheduled to be flown back to Jordan for burial.
