Rogers Park: Another man gunned down execution-style as concerns rise

Eliyahu Moscowitz | Facebook

For the second time in two days, Chicago police are investigating an apparent random shooting death in Rogers Park. Both victims were killed with single gunshot wounds to their heads as they walked casually in the neighborhood. Neither man was the apparent victim of robbery.

Police said that a passer-by discovered a 24-year-old man shot to death on the Lakefront Trail at Loyola Park around 10:20 p.m. Monday. A CPD spokesperson said the victim was walking on the bike path near the 1100 block of West Lunt when someone shot him.

The victim has been identified as Eliyahu Moscowitz.

Moscowitz was found on the path near this parking lot at Loyola Park. | Google

Moscowitz was pronounced dead at the scene as rain moved into the city. A source said Moscowitz had been shot one time in the left side of the head. His black hat lie next to him on the path.

On Sunday morning, another man was shot to death as he walked his dogs about a half-mile from Monday’s murder scene.

WIllard Douglass Watts | Facebook

Willard Douglass Watts, 73, was shot one time in the head as he stood on a sidewalk just two doors down from his home. Investigators originally thought that Watts may have been killed in a botched robbery attempt, but they that theory lost favor when Watt’s iPhone was later found in his possession.

Witnesses reported seeing a masked man wearing all black running southbound near a set of train tracks moments after Watts’ shooting. The suspect was described as black, 5’8” to 5’10” tall and 170 pounds.

Police on Tuesday morning quickly dismissed any connection between the two killings, except to say that the investigations were continuing.

Local Alderman Joe Moore (49th) said in a Facebook post that police “have not reached any conclusions at this time, but hope to have the results of a ballistics tests later today.”

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About CWBChicago 4272 Articles
CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets. Our editorial email address is news@cwbchicago.com