Suraj M. Mahadeva, a 26-year-old Asian man of Sri Lankan and Filipino descent, tragically lost his life on December 11, 2021, in Chicago, IL. Suraj was standing on the porch of a friend's home in the Palmer Square neighborhood when he was shot in the head. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, around 3:25 a.m., near the intersection of Albany and Dickens avenues. Despite being rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital, Suraj was pronounced dead shortly after 4:00 a.m.
Suraj was a vibrant individual, deeply passionate about his heritage and community. He was a graduate in neuroscience and worked as a medical clinician. Suraj was also a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights and volunteered as a swim instructor. His untimely death left his friends, family, and colleagues in shock and mourning. They described him as charismatic, effervescent, and always happy, with a love for dancing and bringing joy to those around him.
The nature of Suraj's death has raised many questions and concerns. Friends and family have expressed their belief that the shooting might not have been a random act of violence but rather an execution-style murder. This belief stems from the brutal manner in which Suraj was killed. Despite these suspicions, no arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. The Chicago Police Department continues to search for leads and has urged anyone with information to come forward.
In the wake of Suraj's death, a memorial service was held at the Center on Halsted, an LGBTQ community center in Chicago. Over 100 people gathered to honor his memory and demand justice. A GoFundMe campaign was also started to support his family and cover memorial expenses. The community remains hopeful that the perpetrator will be found and brought to justice, providing some measure of peace to Suraj's grieving loved ones.
