Two shooting deaths have occurred the North Side neighborhood of Rogers Park in as many days--and police said Tuesday the bullet casings found at both homicide scenes are a match.
Residents said the recent crimes have rocked the neighborhood and they want answers.
Adam Thornburg had just taken a picture of his friend, 24-year-old Eliyahu Moscowitz, two days ago. Moscowitz and Thornburg were a part of a small Pokémon Go gaming group that would often meet in Loyola Park where the Moscowitz was shot and killed Monday night, according police.
"It’s devastating," Thornburg told NBC 5. "You’re hoping this is just a misprint, you know? Maybe they got someone’s name wrong. He’s 24 years old, a nice guy, loved by everybody."
Police said they still don't have a motive for Moscowitz's killing.
Ald. Joe Moore, 49th, said Moscowitz was carrying his phone and other belongings with him, but it’s unclear if the killing started as an attempted robbery.
"I understand their fear and concern," Moore said of Rogers Park residents. "I feel it myself."
A 73-year-old man was shot and killed just a few blocks away on Sunday. That shooting is being looked at as a possible robbery, according to police.
"You can be as cautious as you want to but how cautious can you be?" resident Michael Washer said. "You still have to walk your dog, still have to go outside."
"I can’t believe it happened right here," Chris Bellefontaine, another resident, said. "That freaks me out."
Police are still looking into any connections between the two killings. Chicago police Supt. Eddie Johnson told reporters Tuesday that the bullet casings found at both scenes were a ballistic match.
"Shooting of innocent people is not something common," Moore said. "There’s no indication either of these crimes were gang related."
As police continue their investigation, friends of Moscowitz are expected to gather at Loyola Park tonight at 7 p.m. to remember him.
