Officials are now offering $20,000 for information about the person behind two fatal shootings in one Illinois neighborhood in two days.
WFLD reported that the ATF’s Chicago Field Division announced this weekend that they’re contributing $5,000 to a $15,000 fund raised by the Jewish Federation of Metro Chicago, community activist Raul Montes Jr. and Cook County Crime Stoppers. The announcement comes days after authorities confirmed both male victims were shot at close range with the same gun.
Dubbed by local media as the “Rogers Park Killer,” WLS-TV reported that both men—Eliyahu Moscowitz, 24, and Douglass Watts, 73,—were likely chosen at random and weren’t the victims of a violent robbery.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Watts was walking his dogs when he was shot dead Sunday, September 30, on the 1400 block of West Sherwin Avenue. A half-mile away and 36 hours later, Moscowitz was fatally shot on the 1100 block of West Lunt. Both men were reportedly shot in the head.
READ More: Community on edge as masked gunman shoots second resident dead in 2 days
WLS reported that the masked assailant is believed to live in the same Chicago neighborhood. Authorities said they’re hopeful his unique gait will lead to someone to identify him—sooner than later.
A motive is not yet clear. Authorities haven’t divulged whether the shootings were a hate crime; reports indicated that Moscowitz was an Orthodox Jew, CNN reported that Watts was gay.
In addition to local police, gang, and drug units, the FBI and ATF are assisting in the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding the two shootings can call the Chicago Police Detective’s tip line at 312-744-8200.
[Featured Image: Chicago Police Department]
