Rogers Park murders: Police will offer investigation and reward updates this afternoon

Police today will update the public on the investigations into the slayings of Rogers Park murder victims Willard “Douglass” Watts (l) and Eliyahu Moscowitz. | Facebook

Five weeks after an unknown gunman killed a second random victim in Rogers Park, Chicago police this afternoon will update the public on their investigation into the slayings.

Supt. Eddie Johnson, other members of the Chicago Police Department command staff, elected officials, and community leaders will also provide updated information about the rewards being offered for information that leads investigators to the killer.

It’s been over a month since police held two meetings with Rogers Park residents about the slayings of 73-year-old Willard “Douglass” Watts and 24-year-old Eliyahu Moscowitz.

Willard was walking his dogs just after 10 a.m. on September 30th when he suffered a single gunshot wound to his head in the 1400 block of West Sherwin, two doors down from his own home, according to police and public records.

Video image of the suspect | Chicago Police Department

The next evening, Moscowitz was shot in the head as he walked on the Lakefront Trail at Loyola Park around 10:20 p.m. near the 1100 block of West Lunt.

Police last month announced that forensic testing showed that the same gun had been used to kill the men and investigators said they believed the same man was responsible, too. And he probably lives in Rogers Park, investigators said.

Videos of the disguised killer approaching Watts and then running from the murder scene were released. Investigators have followed up on hundreds of leads in their search for the suspect, a “dark complected” man with a slim build who stands 5’10” to 6’2” tall. The killer walks with his toes pointing out, police said, a distinctive trait that may make him easier to identify since images and video of the suspect show him wearing a hat and scarf to cover his face.

The last sliver of information to be released about the investigation came on October 9th when Alderman Joe Moore (49th) revealed that a police surveillance camera located just steps from Moscowitz’s slaying had captured no images of the killing or the murderer.

Previous Coverage
Rogers Park man, 73, shot to death while walking dogs (September 30th)

Rogers Park: Another man gunned down execution-style as concerns rise (Oct. 2nd)

BREAKING: “Same gun” used to kill two men; Suspect photo released (Oct. 2nd)

Rogers Park investigation: Wednesday developments (Oct. 4th)

Police change Rogers Park murderer description: “Black” is out, “dark complected” is in — But why? (Oct 6th)

Rogers Park: Police cameras in Loyola Park captured NO images of killer (Oct. 9th)

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About CWBChicago 4259 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.