Eliyahu Moscowitz, a member of the Chabad-Lubavitch community and a kashrut supervisor at Jewel-Osco, the primary kosher-food grocery store in Chicago, was shot in the head on the night of Simchat Torah.
By JNS
A 24-year-old observant Jew was murdered on Tuesday in Chicago’s Loyola Park, the target of a possible serial killer.
Eliyahu Moscowitz, a member of the Chabad-Lubavitch community and a kashrut supervisor at Jewel-Osco, the primary kosher-food grocery store in Chicago, was shot in the head at 10:20 p.m. on the night of Simchat Torah and found face down on the sidewalk by a local Christian pastor.
Less than 48 hours beforehand, 73-year-old Douglas Watts, also from the area, was found shot in the head, with authorities reporting that the casualties were caused by the same gun.
Chicago officials are encouraging residents to remain vigilant, but to return to their daily lives.
Authorities released a photo of a man believed to be the shooter dressed entirely in black, his face covered by a ski mask in an effort to disguise his identity.
Police have stated that because Watts was gay and Moscowitz an Orthodox Jew, the murders may constitute hate crimes.