Chicago police say same gun used in killing of 2 men on North Side

CHICAGO (Fox 32 News) - Police have released an image hoping to identify a suspect wanted in connection for the murder of an elderly man walking his dogs on Chicago’s North Side.

The 73-year-old victim was fatally shot Sunday morning in the 1400 block of West Sherwin in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Police say the suspect approached the victim and shot him in the head. The shooter then took off.

Chicago police said that ballistics tests show the same gun was used in another shooting on Monday night that took place just blocks away on a lakefront path. That victim, a 24-year-old man, was also shot in the head.

"Both shootings came from the same gun and likely the same suspect," Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said Tuesday at a press conference. "The shell casings found at both crime scenes were found to be a match."

The suspect, who was described as a black male with a thin build, is seen in the photo wearing all-dark clothing with a hooded mask.

“This person is clearly trying to disguise themselves,” Johnson said. “Clearly he or she knows what they are going out to do.”

Investigators initially thought Watts was killed during a robbery, but Johnson said nothing had been stolen from either man. Police haven’t identified a potential motive, but Johnson didn’t rule out the possibility of a hate crime.

"I know firsthand the Rogers Park community is strong, is resilient and is a supportive community," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said at the press conference. "We need those core vales and the police department needs those core values at this time. People will go about their daily lives but we want it to be done in a safe way, a smart way and vigilant about their way."