Mutahir Rauf | Homicide Watch Chicago

Family of slain Loyola University student seeks answers, not vengeance

Michael Lansu — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 14:21:40 -0600

Mutahir Rauf / Submitted photo

BY STEFANO ESPOSITO
Chicago Sun-Times

The brother of a Loyola University Chicago student killed last week in an attempted robbery said Tuesday that as the grieving family seeks answers and justice -- they aren’t interested in vengeance.

“We seek peace, not vengeance, understanding, not bigotry,” Mokaam Rauf told reporters at Piper Hall on Loyola’s lakeshore campus. “We see this brutal act as being symptomatic of a greater epidemic of poverty and violence pervading Chicago ….”

Mutahir Rauf, 23, was shot and killed Friday during an attempted robbery. Rauf was with another brother in the 1200 block of West Albion Avenue just before 8 p.m. when two men walked up and showed a weapon.

Rauf thought the weapon was a fake, tried to reach for it and was shot, Ald. Joe Moore (49th) has said.

On Tuesday, Mokaram Rauf said his family has “full faith” that Chicago police will solve the case.

Mutahir Rauf was Pakistani and had lived in New York. He received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northwestern University in 2013 and was a post-baccalaureate student enrolled in Loyola’s pre-health professional program.

“His bright spirit will continue to shine in the darkest corners of our hearts,” Mokaram Rauf said.

WEEK IN REVIEW: Four shot dead throughout Chicago

Michael Lansu — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 11:27:59 -0600

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Four people were fatally shot throughout Chicago last week.

The most recent killing happened when 23-year-old Loyola University pre-med student Mutahir Rauf was shot during an attempted robbery in the 1200 block of West Albion Avenue near the Rogers Park campus about 7:50 p.m. Friday, authorities said.

Two males walked up, showed a weapon and demanded Rauf's belongings, authorities said. Rauf thought the weapon was fake and tried to reach for it, said 49th Ward Ald. Joe Moore.

Rauf, of the 1400 block of West Pratt Boulevard, was shot in the head and chest during a scuffle, authorities said. He died minutes later.

On the East Side, 26-year-old James Sweeten was shot in the 10600 block of South Avenue O, about 4:45 p.m. Friday, authorities said.

Sweeten, of the 9800 block of South Avenue L, was shot in the chest died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, authorities said. A 23-year-old man was also shot numerous times, but survived his injuries, police said.

In the South Shore community, 20-year-old Cedric Goodwin was shot multiple times in the 7400 block of South Euclid Avenue about 9 a.m. Friday, authorities said.

Goodwin, of the 7600 block of South Euclid Avenue, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was declared dead at 12:25 p.m. Friday, according to the medical examiner’s office.

The killing started when 17-year-old Demond Avant was shot in the head while standing on a sidewalk in the 600 block of North Mayfield Avenue in the Austin community about 9:25 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.

Avant, of the 1000 block of North Monitor Avenue, died less than an hour later at West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, authorities said.

Kenyon Jones, 33, of the 1600 block of North Nagle Avenue, and Paris Jones, 24, of the 700 block of North Waller Avenue, men were charged with first-degree murder for Avant's death and each is being held on $2 million bond. It was not immediately known if the two are related.

Overall, the medical examiner’s office has ruled at least 408 Chicago deaths in 2014 a homicide — including 14 people killed by police.

Chicago Police, which counts murders different by following federal guidelines, have ruled some of those homicides as involuntary manslaughter, justified self-defense or accidents.

Friend: Loyola University student killed in robbery was 'bright, loyal'

Michael Lansu — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 14:57:07 -0600

Mutahir Rauf / Submitted photo

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

Loyola University students and friends Saturday were reeling over the death of a 23-year-old pre-med student from Pakistan who was shot and killed during an attempted robbery near the Rogers Park campus.

Authorities said Mutahir Rauf was with his brother in the 1200 block of West Albion Avenue when two males walked up, showed a weapon and demanded his belongings about 7:50 p.m. Friday.

At least one of the males opened fire, striking the man in his chest and head, police said.

Rauf, of the 1400 block of West Pratt Boulevard, was pronounced dead at 8:08 p.m. according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Rauf was walking with his brother when they were approached by the males and were shown the gun, 49th Ward alderman Joe Moore said in a post on EveryBlock.com. Rauf thought the weapon was fake and tried to reach for it, Moore said. He was later shot during a scuffle.

Luigi Loizzo, a junior at Loyola, had taken an organic class with Rauf over the summer.

Loizzo lives just 200 feet where the incident took place.

“It’s pretty scary that I have to look over my shoulder every time I walk outside,” said Loizzo, 20, of suburban Addison.

“To know that someone was shot point blank so close to where I’m taking classes is not a very comfortable feeling.”

Loizzo said he didn’t know Rauf very well but said he was a “very nice and respectful.”

Rauf, who was born in Pakistan, received his BA from Northwestern University and was taking graduate courses at Loyola, friends said.

“Mutahir was very near and dear to his community. His loss is a tragedy and we’re all deeply saddened,” Rauf’s friends from Northwestern said in a statement.

“He was a bright student at Northwestern who was continuing his studies at Loyola before pursuing a medical degree.”

One friend who didn’t want his name used said Rauf was loyal. “If you were friends with him, he had your back completely,” the man told the Sun-Times.

Rauf’s brother who was with him when he was murdered is also a student at Loyola, Loizzo said.

Loizzo was studying at the library Friday night but his friends who were going to a comedy improv show heard screams and saw a couple tending to Rauf and his brother who was “hysterical.”

Loizzo said one of his friends who stumbled upon the crime scene stopped a rape from occurring a few months ago, so he and other students are well aware of the dangers in the neighborhood.

“There’s a lot of crime here, but it’s usually gang related. To know this happened to a student hits really close to home,” Loizzo said.

Rauf will be buried in Pakistan, a friend said.

Officials Loyola are planning a moment of silence Saturday evening at the University’s Lessons and Carols event at the Madonna della Strada Chapel.

On Sunday, a prayer for Mutahir will be said after the 10: 30 a.m. mass at the chapel. A walk in Rauf’s honor will follow.

Loyola students have been asked to gather at the Mundelein Center Auditorium at 3 p.m. Wednesday to remember Rauf and pray for non-violence.

-- Contributing: Reema Amin